American Tea Masters Association -- What's the story?

[middleangst]

I’m thinking of attending the American Tea Masters Association tea extravaganza in Chicago next month, but there have been some odd shifts in dates, and cutbacks in hours (as well as cuts in fees), and when I try to do some background on the organization I get nowhere.

Can you help? Do you know anything about the ATMA, or the guy who runs it, Chas Kroll?

I would appreciate any info, and will keep it confidential.

About a thousand dollars spent (on travel, hotel, etc.) is riding partly on your answer, or whomever you can direct me to.

And are there any other events I might want to consider instead?

All help greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Intuit]

Main site:
http://www.teamasters.org/

Site Map
http://www.teamasters.org/sitemap.html


Do not know diddley about this guy, other than he is a self-trained chef and self-acclaimed tea master who hypes his San Diego based tea business courses on the web.

Maybe Victoria knows something about him. If you're interested in the business side of teas, the World Tea Expo (held most recently in June 2009) would be a good choice.

If you're interested in learning about teas at modestly sophisticated level, try enrolling in Mike Harney's (Harney and Sons Ltd) tea seminars. The Specialty Tea Institute also offers a certification course.

http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/mouthi ... Tea-Master
http://www.harney.com/harney-guidetotea.html

http://www.theteahousetimes.com/sti_spe ... titute.htm
http://www.teausa.com/

[TIM]

I’m thinking of attending the American Tea Masters Association tea extravaganza in Chicago next month, but there have been some odd shifts in dates, and cutbacks in hours (as well as cuts in fees), and when I try to do some background on the organization I get nowhere.

Can you help? Do you know anything about the ATMA, or the guy who runs it, Chas Kroll?

I would appreciate any info, and will keep it confidential.

About a thousand dollars spent (on travel, hotel, etc.) is riding partly on your answer, or whomever you can direct me to.

And are there any other events I might want to consider instead?

All help greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Are you looking to seriously learn tea brewing or just want to socialize with tea heads?

[Chas Kroll]

I will be personally happy to answer any questions you may have, or anyone else for that matter, regarding the American Tea Masters Association and its tea master training programs or the upcoming Tea Extravaganza 2009 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago in August.

[xuancheng]

I will be personally happy to answer any questions you may have, or anyone else for that matter, regarding the American Tea Masters Association and its tea master training programs or the upcoming Tea Extravaganza 2009 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago in August.

Are you a real Teamaster?

[wyardley]

I will be personally happy to answer any questions you may have, or anyone else for that matter, regarding the American Tea Masters Association and its tea master training programs or the upcoming Tea Extravaganza 2009 at the Drake Hotel in Chicago in August.

Are you a real Teamaster?

No no... he's a Certified Tea Master™.


I would love to see Mr. Kroll and Bill Lee of http://www.mastersoftea.org duke it out 鬥茶 style to see who is the true master of tea!

Another interesting California event coming up in August (via RFDT):
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.food ... 3e1d790dbc#

Doesn't seem clear if you can participate unless you pay the full event fees (which include hotel and meals).