Amai won the TimeOut New York 2008 Reader’s Choice award for Best New Tea House in New York City. How great! We had no experience going into this, and I’m really glad that we were able to create something that people enjoy. I am honored.
The awards were announced at a ceremony on Monday at Webster Hall in the East Village. Andrew, Queenie and I attended and finally got to wear something other than our typical bakery gear. When we entered the lobby it was a little dark and eerie inside, and reminded me of the Haunted House at Disneyland. Since they didn’t tell us much about the awards, I wasn’t sure if it would be a casual or formal event, or if it would involve food. After we finished checking in, we went upstairs to the main hall where there was much more light, an open bar and about 20 round tables set with cheese and crackers. NYCTV was there interviewing people, but the three of us headed straight for the snacks and drinks. We’re not exactly big names in the food industry, so we didn’t have much mingling to do.
This Saturday I will be giving my first “professional” chef demo (complete with pro chef picture!) at Macy’s in Herald Square. In honor of Macy’s annual flower show, the theme will be using tea and flowers (tisane) in food and drink. I’ll be showing the audience different ways to steep, grind and mix tea to get the best flavor and texture into your favorite recipes. We will be preparing chamomile and lavender cupcakes and tea lattes during the demo, which the first 65 attendees will get to sample. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so stop by early. Hope to see you there.
