For those languishing between seasons of Bridgerton, there’s solace to be had: Tea with Meredith, a pop-up high-tea company, has begun to hold events in lower Westchester and Southern Connecticut. Purchase a ticket and extend your pinky as you sip tea from a curated selection, as well as sample various delicacies. The last event was held in March at the Women’s Club of Mamaroneck, complete with a violinist serenading the guests. More teas are being planned for later this year.
The business’s owner, Meredith Stanford of Larchmont, serves attendees on her personal collection of tableware. “I have thirty-five teapots,” she says. “I spend a lot of time in HomeGoods and on eBay and Auction Ninja. A cousin of mine was obsessed with tea, and when she passed away, I inherited some of her teacups.” She received more cups from her mother and aunts. The eclectic look of each table she sets is part of the fun: “I’ve gone to a lot of tea rooms, and the theme of tea is that it’s served in mismatched cups,” she says.
“There is an inclination towards tea, even for younger people—it’s not just a drink, it’s an experience.“
As for what goes in the cups, Stanford is constantly hunting for the latest varieties. While English Breakfast is always on the menu, every few days she samples blends at The Spice & Tea Exchange of New Canaan. (It’s located near the site of Stanford’s day job, where she works as a strategist.) “I also love Harney & Sons teas. Plus, I might do cherry blossom or rose petal in the spring, and a cider house tea in the fall,” she says. Guests can choose among several varieties.
Of course, one does not live on tea alone. Also on offer are savories and sweets. “My signature sandwich is the Coronation Chicken Sandwich, an interpretation of the New York Times recipe from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. I do a cucumber sandwich, smoked salmon, and I’m a big egg salad fan too. Recently I served a fig jam, brie, and apple sandwich,” she says. If guests still have room, there is a selection of scones, macarons, mini cheesecakes, and more sweet treats.
Stanford’s tea venture dovetails nicely with her professional career. “I spend time with CEOs, trying to understand what they want, and then work with their management teams to make that come to life,” she explains. She drew upon the same skill set to usher Tea with Meredith into existence. Inspiration struck last year as she was brainstorming events for the Echo Bay Yacht Club in New Rochelle, of which she is a board member. “They have a gorgeous building that overlooks the Sound. I thought, ‘I could do something with the space,’ so, I hosted a tea there last August. It was a great success, and that’s how the business got born.”
It’s a natural fit for Stanford, since she also once worked as a chef. “I took a lot of night classes at the Institute for Culinary Education, and then I taught a class there in 2010,” she says. These days, she prepares the tea fare at home (she is certified to do so) or at a commercial space. If a client wants a catered tea in their own home, Stanford can do that as well; prices range from $39 to $129 per person, depending on the menu, and a month’s notice is required. “I want to get this going where I have an event every weekend,” she says. “There is definitely an inclination towards tea, even for younger people. Tea is not just a drink, it’s an experience.”
Tickets to the teas are $75. Stanford begins to sell them two months in advance and often offers early bird specials, though depending on availability, tickets also can be purchased as late as the night before. Visit teawithmeredith.com or @teameredith10538 on Instagram for announcements.
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