What inspired you to start your new tea events?
After hosting a tea party for my birthday a few years ago, I knew I wanted to create a public version -- a gathering centered on connection, conversation, and good food and drink. Some of my favorite memories growing up in Honduras were watching the ladies sipping tea, playing cards, and, of course... spilling the latest gossip! I wanted to put my own millennial spin on that tradition.
We have been hosting private tea parties for bachelorette groups, and they have been such a hit that it felt like the right time to create the same type of experience for the whole community. I also know how hard it can be to make friends as adults. My hope is to create a space where those connections can happen naturally. If someone leaves having made a new friend -- or even just feeling a little less alone -- I think that's a pretty special afternoon.
We’ll have elegant food, a tea lesson by our favorite tea aficionado, Dillon, and fun games, like a modern version of Mexican Lotería, which lets us get a little friendly competition going without taking ourselves too seriously. I’ve also been perfecting the playlist so we’ll have the perfect blend of nostalgic hits and girl pop.
So this is your excuse to get dressed up, drink delicious tea, eat way too much indulgent food, make new friends, and slow down for an afternoon.
When and where do the events take place?
This ongoing series takes place once a month on Saturdays from 11 am-1 pm, at Café Frank, on the Historic Downtown Mall! The entire café is reserved for us, so feel free to laugh a little louder, linger a little longer, or sing out of tune -- we promise you're in good company.
What should attendees expect the afternoon to look like?
First of all, you should know that I love a good theme, so I had the most fun putting together all the décor. I wanted to create a space that feels beautiful, welcoming, and just a little over the top -- in the best way. Women are often the ones doing the hosting, planning, and taking care of everyone else, so I wanted to create an afternoon where we get to be the ones who are taken care of.
We'll kick things off with a sparkling wine toast before Dillon guides us through a curated tea tasting. Everyone will enjoy their own tea tray with finger sandwiches, pastries, and other sweet and savory treats. We'll play a few lighthearted games, share lots of laughs, and maybe even spill a little tea of our own.
We all have that dress hanging in the closet that we're waiting for the "right" occasion to wear -- this is it. Come dressed up (if you want!), take a break from the everyday, and enjoy a couple of hours that are just for you.
My hope is that people leave feeling a little more connected than when they arrived -- with full bellies, maybe some new friends, and an excuse to do it all again.
What informs decisions about the teas that are chosen?
Our tea selections are led by our tea aficionado and local sommelier, Dillon Ramsey. I got to know Dillon through my food tours on the Downtown Mall. He always takes such great care of my guests that many of them make a point to go back and visit him after the tour. One day, I had a headache during a tour, and he made me a custom tea blend. That's when I discovered he was just as passionate about tea as he is about wine.
What I love most about Dillon is his curiosity. He's constantly hunting down interesting teas, unusual herbs, and unique blends that most people have never heard of. His goal isn't just to serve a great cup of tea -- it's to make tea approachable while introducing people to new flavors, traditions, and brewing techniques in a fun, welcoming way.
How do you choose pairings?
I see food as an extension of the tea experience. I'm a big grazer, and love to taste a little bit of everything, which is probably why I fell in love with food tours in the first place. I wanted our tea parties to have that same feeling: a little sweet, a little savory, delicious drinks, a chance to learn something new, and plenty of time to connect with new people in our community. I’ve got a huge soft spot for traditional English tea sandwiches and classic sweet treats, but we're not taking ourselves too seriously over here. The goal is for everything to be delicious, approachable, and just plain fun.
As Tea, Please! continues to grow, I’m looking to partner with more local bakeries and artisans to create pairings that showcase Charlottesville's incredible culinary community. We're also planning seasonal menus and themed tea parties throughout the year, so each event feels like a fresh experience.
Anything else you’d like readers to know:
I hope this is the beginning of growing a really fun community. If you've been looking for an excuse to get dressed up, try something new, or meet some amazing women, I'd love to have you join us.
And if you can't make one of our public events, don't worry -- we also host private tea parties, food tours, cooking classes, and mixology experiences throughout Charlottesville. I love dreaming up new experiences, so if there's an event anyone would love to see in Charlottesville, I hope they'll reach out and let me know.