Tea—particularly high tea—once served as a convivial bridge between lunch and dinner. But these days it has been transformed into a moment of sensory indulgence to celebrate events from bridal parties to birthdays or outdoor gatherings. Regardless of the occasion, having a great tea means having the right vibe and setup: a curated menu of savory and sweet bites, paired with the right tea (since not all teas are created equal). The process begins with choosing the right setting to host a tea party. Dorothy Findlater, owner of Rosemary and Thyme High Teas in Monterey, says that before organizing a tea—whether at home or on location—she needs to know the party size. She also requests photographs of the space and furniture where she will set up the china and serving trays. “If it’s six people to eight people we can generally get them around a dining room table,” Findlater says. This is a good arrangement for conversation and sharing. At the table, each place setting contains several elements. Findlater says that everything is about presentation, making sure every piece harmonizes with the others. “All my dishes are eclectic,” she adds. Findlater specializes in traditional tea parties. Her arrangements include threetier sandwich trays with finger foods, where she plates cucumber sandwiches with English butter, Scottish smoked salmon or hummus with roasted red peppers, homemade scones and fresh cream. Hosts should always offer vegan and gluten-free options, she adds. Connie Carey, owner of House of Fuchsia, a Carmel planner specializing in vintage-glam events, plans tea parties from the bottom up, creating a theme and ambiance. Her tea parties don’t follow any particular tradition. Carey builds the occasion by focusing on the menu first, using seasonal ingredients, then pairing them with teas that will bring together the flavors. “I like a fusion,” she adds. “Different cultures do tea time, so it all depends on what culture we’re looking at as far as food goes and then we incorporate that into the tea party.” British-style high teas often have a Victorian feel. There is a ritual aesthetic to Japanese ceremonies. Carey has organized themed tea parties. Her favorite so far is Alice In Wonderland. “Everybody dressed up when they came,” she says. To make the setup process smooth at a tea, keeping the table free of decorations and setting aside kitchen space to prep and refrigerate foods is key. “We like to keep the sandwiches and everything nice and cool,” Findlater observes. Besides gathering, tea parties can, of course, be an opportunity to learn more about tea itself. If requested, Findlater can share the history of tea and tea etiquette—as well as the images that come to mind thanks to decades of comic sketches. “You put your pinky underneath to steady the cup,” she says. The tea should be prepared on the spot. Water has to reach a boiling point— and there is an important reason, as temperature alters the flavor of tea. Both Carey and Findlater offer their own blends. One of Carey’s vendors— Zum Zum Tea, a family-run tea business based in Salinas—helped her create Countryside Cottage, a floral tea with several ingredients including lavender, rose petals and vanilla oil. Findlater’s black tea offers Darjeeling notes and a hint of honey. She worked with a tea sommelier to obtain her signature blend. Whether one opts for fun, quirky or formal, tea provides a moment for people to socialize, enjoy a cup and bask in tradition—or shatter tradition to pieces. 24 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® HAVEN 2026-2027 Tea Time CATERERS CAN CREATE THE RIGHT TEA PARTY FOR ANY OCCASION, FROM TRADITIONAL TO WHIMSICAL. By Celia Jiménez COURTESY OF DOROTHY FINDLATER Dorothy Findlater, owner of Rosemary and Thyme High Teas in Monterey, has more than 100 sets of teacups and saucers in her vintage china collection. At her parties, she serves a black tea blend with a bright Darjeeling note, along with homemade pastries and sandwiches.
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