There are some mornings that stay with you long after the last teacup is cleared. Our recent PoeTea Party at Panache Tea Boutique in Waterloo, Iowa was one of them. Hosted by the Waterloo Public Library, the gathering brought together poetry, tea, conversation, and the simple joy of slowing down together. It was a beautiful reminder that meaningful connection often begins around the table.

For many people, tea is something familiar. A quick cup in the morning, something to sip throughout the day, or a simple way to pause for a moment. A traditional afternoon tea is something else entirely. It is not built around convenience or speed. It is meant to be set apart, with its own rhythm and structure, allowing time to settle in and enjoy each part of the experience as it unfolds.

For many years, my work around the kitchen, and often beyond it, looked very different from what you see at Panache today. It was fast paced and structured, built around consistency and efficiency. Meals were produced in large volumes. Systems were designed to ensure that the same result could be delivered again and again, with precision. And with that came pressure. The pressure to do more with less. To improve quality while working within tighter budgets. To create somet

Tea was never just something we drank. It was part of the rhythm of the day. In the mornings, mid-morning, after lunch, and again in the afternoon. On colder days, it was something to warm your hands as much as anything else. It was simply there, woven into everyday life. On weekends, there was almost always a gathering. Sometimes we hosted. Sometimes we visited. Family and close friends would come together, and tea was always part of it. It was never served on its own.