Now, I have been to a tea party a time or two in my life. I have had some in my own home when my kids were young, for small celebrations and sometimes just for fun. I have enjoyed high tea at the impressive Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C., which sets the standards for everything a high tea should be. I’ve had afternoon tea in Western Washington, Sonora, CA, and a Mother’s Day tea in Lakeport. And every tea experience has been unique and set apart, except, of course, for the cucumber sandwiches. But one thing always remains the same: for that dining experience, there is a return to innocence on some level, and the world is set right again with the first sip of hot tea, with one or two lumps of sugar.
But when my delight in tea parties only adds to the fruition of a dream, well, that is a privilege that comes beyond a price tag, doesn’t it? I suppose it happens when a doctor sees their first patient after graduating from medical school or a trained vocalist sings in their first professional performance. And that brings us to the Mother’s Day Tea Party at Woodland Community College in Clearlake.
Chef Ann-Marie and class
Perhaps Chef Ann-Marie says it best when she welcomes all of us on behalf of the college: “Your presence here today shows our students that their dreams matter. Thank you.” And how can it not be true? All of these students are sacrificing their time, energy, and resources to make their vision come true as they serve us today. It is one step closer to them getting their first culinary job and fulfilling their own dreams. And I can’t help but smile with pride at what appears to be an extraordinary Petals & Pastries PAR-TEA event.
Never in all of my high tea experiences have I had quite the selection of food that Aroma’s Cafe & Restaurant serves with my Earl Grey tea. Don’t believe me? Here is the menu, starting with Tier one, Finger Sandwiches: Lightly seasoned Truffled Egg Salad, just sweet enough to set this sandwich apart. Coronation Chicken Salad with the surprise bite of slivered almonds; every taste is filling and satisfying. Smoked Salmon & Herb, decadent, well-balanced in its smoky flavor and rich creamy texture. Heaven!
Second Tier is Pastries: Earl Grey blackberry scone loaded with berries and perfectly flaky. A fun surprise with the Vanilla Birthday scone, best served with clotted cream or housemade strawberry jam. And finally, the delightful, delicate, moist Victoria Sponge cake in mini cupcake form.
Last, but certainly not least of all, is the third tier loaded with Petit Fours: Just for fun, let’s get started with the savory Bacon & Gruyere Madeline, followed by Buttery Rose Cardamon Shortbread, the festive Classic Almond Financier, and the deep, bold, and sweet Dubai Chocolate Macaron. Finally, we end with the French Vanilla Canele, which is like eating your own tall mini cake. It is just as fancy as this tea party. And just because there might be cracks and crevices not quite stuffed full, a lovely array of fresh sliced fruit and colorful berries adorn the tea table, should anyone desire some fresh fruit.
I am stuffed just as my eye catches purple tea of some sort next to a bright yellow lemonade. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I look closer to the sign saying “Petals Tea” with instructions to fill your glass half full of the Purple Pea Petal Tea, add a splash of lemonade, and watch the magic happen as your glass turns the loveliest shade of pink. Every sip is sweet and refreshing, and I can’t help but smile when Chef Ann-Marie whispers at my table, “You know, I just thought of what I would want to serve if I ever did a tea party, not thinking of my class and how hard it would be. But you know, this is their final, and they just rose to the challenge and did it!” She smiles with pride. “And I knew we had to have someone playing the harp. You have to have the harp at a tea party,” she laughs.
And I now quite agree with Ann-Marie. Every bite, every sip of tea is filled with extra magic when Aja Gianola begins to play the harp. She casts a spell over the room, transporting all of us to our happy place. It takes me back to my childhood fantasy of the perfect picnic in my own green garden, when every favorite food of mine is made only in bite sizes so I can eat it all before getting lost in cloud gazing, where elephants turn to giraffes and finally dolphins, before fading away only to be replaced by a boat with smoke rising from its stacks.
In the end, one thing stands out most certainly: I plan on attending all the culinary events I can from here on out. It’s more than eating good food; it’s building a dream and feeding hope in someone else’s dream. The spring semester is a wrap at Aromas Cafe & Restaurant, but summer culinary courses are being offered, and rumor has it, homemade holiday pies will be for sale come fall. Follow Aroma’s Cafe & Restaurant on social media so you never miss a future event! And congratulations to the graduating class of 2026!
Special thanks to my friend and the Dean of Students at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, Korinda Ebenhack, for inviting me to the event!
To learn more about the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, visit here.
15880 Dam Rd Ext, Clearlake, CA 95422
Phone: (707) 995-7900
