Can Tea "Do the Twist"?

Thought you might enjoy seeing my new book trailer. If you watch to the end, tea really can "do the twist"! Very fun to make-I hope you enjoy!!!

If you want to purchase Tea with a Twist, click here

Would love to know what you think and as always, Happy Sipping

Tea with a Twist-Review & Behind-the-Scenes

"FLOWERS, FRUIT, FIESTAS, EVEN FOOTBALL-if you are looking for fun and adventurous new ways to host your friends, Lisa Boalt Richardson's Tea with a Twist will inspire you to throw one of these themed teatime parties."

Tea with a Twist: Entertaining and Cooking with Tea  had the honor of being reviewed by Tea Time Magazine for their May/June 2010 issue. .

To read more, pick up a copy of the magazine on newsstands now.

Behind the Scenes:
I thought it might be fun to reveal some behind-the-scenes stuff for Tea with a Twist.  Some of you might not have realized that my role was more than just an author for the book, but I had a lot of involvement in the photoshoot and creative look for it as well.  Since this was my first book, I had quite the learning curve to not only write and create recipes to go with each chapter, but also had to figure out what I wanted each chapter to look like in pictures.  It was definitely a learn-as-you-go type experience. 

The connection to the fabulous photographer for both my books, Lauren Rubinstein, was a "girlfriend connection".  We both happen to get our eyebrows waxed by the same gal and she hooked us up and I made the pitch to use Lauren to my publisher.  It just goes to show you, you should never underestimate your networking opportunities! 

Lauren and I had a pre-production meeting with the stylist where we discussed my vision and feel that I wanted for the book.  From there, a shot list for the book was created.  After I made a few minor changes to the shot list, it was approved. 

We shot Tea with a Twist in one long hard week.  I was at the photoshoot as the Harvest House representative and made sure the photos were the look I wanted for each party, as well as, staying true to tea.  I did help out with food prep for some of the recipes and learned a ton watching Lauren and Annette (the prop and food stylist) do their magic-and magic it is.   

                                                                

The cover photo for the book came about at the end of one of those long days. We were done for the day, everything had been packed up, and we were talking about the next day's shoot, which included the cover. As we were talking, the light was shining in the window just right onto the table and VOILA, the cover photo was created with arranging a few teacups!

It is so fun to watch those that are really good at their job create beautiful things.  It was also wonderful to watch my words, recipes, and parties come to life!  I feel honored to have a book that is so beautifully done and well received-Thanks Tea Time Magazine for the great review!

Happy Sipping and Reading,
Lisa 

Tea Twist or Tea Travesty?

As an author and speaker, I realize that I am not going to please everyone.  That is why there is room for so many in this world because everyone has their own style and those that like that style.  My approach to tea is one of study and learn all I can about it in certification classes and on my own, but also to have fun with tea. 

I recently received an email from a disgruntled reader of Tea with a Twist.  Here is what she wrote:

"I was quite disappointed with your book, I'm sorry. I too love tea and was raised around Tea Parties, etiquette and traditional tea parties of which salads and salmon steaks were never on the menu. Why do you and so many other "Tea Experts" not stick to the right information about tea and turn it into such a travesty. No wonder "High Tea" is so misunderstood in the USA."

I thought the reader's comments would create a great blog and an opportunity for explanation, education, and hopefully great feedback and discussion!  Now, I don't think anyone loves a traditional English afternoon tea party like I do!  In addition, early on in my tea career, I was trained and certified by the Protocol School of Washington in Tea and Etiquette and teach classes still to this day on the subject matter. I do think proper protocol and etiquette is very important and varies on the level of formality!  For instance, there is a difference between a BBQ dinner at your local rib shack and a dinner at a five-star restaurant. 

Having fun with tea was my inspiration for writing Tea with a Twist-hence the word "Twist". I wanted to create tea parties that were a little outside-the-box as some might consider me to be-especially my kids!  My inspiration was "a tea party can be all sorts of things as long as you are sipping tea".  I also wanted those that didn't own china and silver to still feel like they could entertain with tea without the expense of having to buy those items!  My philosophy on teatime is that it is anytime so, creating parties for all different events and incorporating tea in them was exciting!  I realize this is might not be everyone's "cup of tea" though.

My love of learning about this beverage took me on a quest to discover traditions in other countries other than my own. That is why I wrote The World in Your Teacup.   Culturally speaking, I would be remiss if I stated that there was one "right way" to have tea as each country celebrates tea differently.  However, for most Americans, a tea party is fashioned after the English tradition of finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts which is properly called an "afternoon tea" not a "high tea". 

To help get the message out about the proper terminology on tea in the "English style", I purposely did a high tea menu for my second book in the England chapter.  A high tea is a "meat tea" or a "supper tea" served in the evening and it is much heartier than an afternoon tea.  I also featured many "high teas" in Tea with a Twist, just with a little "twist" of course.  If you want to learn more about a traditional English high tea or how tea is celebrated around the world, you can read more about it in The World in Your Teacup. 

Well, salads or scones, salmon or sencha, travesty or twist, I do hope we all just enjoy TEA!

Tea Travesty or Tea Twist?  I guess it is up to the reader to decide. What do you think?  I would love to hear!

Happy Sipping, Lisa