When did you first discover tea?
As a baby it was second to milk. As a young child, I would play tea party, then I began collecting tea cups and pots. The art of entertaining with tea was instilled in my youth; which led me to create SALONTEA.

What is your least favorite variety of tea? Why?
Smoky teas, such as lapsang souchong; it tastes like a barbeque.

What is your favorite variety of tea? Why?
Chai. It is spicy and seductive, like dessert in a cup.

What do you like to drink besides tea?
Water, and now my bottled iced teas that are due out in Summer '09.

What do you like to eat with a cup of tea?
French macaroons, Madelines and scones, or sometimes nothing at all.

Who/what has shaped your knowledge of tea the most over the years?
My grandmother introduced me to the beauty of having a cup of tea. My mother's entertaining introduced me to living a lifestyle. The passion is self taught. My background in art history, and travel experience led to the creation of SALONTEA. I am lucky enough to work with the best and never stop experimenting and creating while trying to educate the young and old about tea. It's a party.

If you were doing something that did not involve tea, what would you be?
I'm an artist, so things that I do are always creative. Designing and decorating are my passion, while travel opens my eyes and has a huge influence on me.

What is special about your custom blended teas?
I'm what a "nose" is to perfume, with the same dedication to perfection and the best ingredients from select tea estates. My tea is packaged in small quantities, when you open each tin you're overwhelmed with the highly perfumed scent, it's truly a treat for all the senses. The packaging and design attracts you visually, the taste grabs you, and the scent keeps you. The logo is something you want to display, not keep hidden away.

How do you name your teas?
It all starts with SALONTEA, certain saloniers of the eighteenth century where women opened their homes to entertain. My teas are named for everyone who would have been in that room, the Artist, Writer, Fashionable Dandy, Musician, Lover and Society hostess; they blend together in one space where all people come together over a cup of tea.

How do you infuse fashion and entertaining with tea?
SALONTEA is a lifestyle. It is entertaining based on the age old tradition of serving tea. It makes people feel special.

How can tea make people more beautiful?
I feel that tea is the most personal thing you can give to somebody. You drink it and it goes inside you. Tea provides aromatherapy and is naturally uplifting. Chemically tea triggers happy endorphins; it's been called the happy drink. There are so many positive benefits. Of course, the beneficial properties of Tea can be also be slimming, making you healthier and happier.

What are the some of the key health benefits associated with teas?
There are many, but I have designed 3 teas especially for health. The Slimming Beauty with guarana extract and yerba mate speeds metabolism, Natural Beauty is a detoxifying tea that cleanses the system, and Natural Beauty is restorative.

Is it becoming more common to use tea as a cooking ingredient?
Yes, for me it is an herb, a spice and a rub. I use it for baking and in all my cooking.

What are some great flavor combinations
for teas and complementary foods?
White tea (the Artist) with poached salmon, green tea (the Romantic) with popcorn and truffle oil, vanilla tea (the Society Hostess) with vanilla tea cookies, and earl grey (the Fashionable Dandy) with earl grey brownies.

What is more important for a tea
enthusiast- brewing technique or raw ingredient/quality of tea?
Brewing is basic; exceptional quality makes it. Just steep and strain, get the best tea and time the brewing appropriately.

What is your best tip for a tea enthusiast?
Be experimental and adventurous; never skimp on quality.