Tea Sommelier Certificate

In partnership with Tea Association of Canada, this certificate has been designed for individuals wishing to expand and enhance their love of tea. In eight classes you’ll practice new skills and expand your knowledge (and palate!) for tea, including:

• How to design a menu for a perfect pairing
• The delicate nuances of preparing and consuming different tea
• Tasting and evaluating teas from regions around the world
• Blind taste tests that will perfect your palette for tea

Classes for the Tea Sommelier certificate are open to general registration; however each of the eight classes must be completed prior to writing the Tea Sommelier certificate examination.   The certification program consists of 150 hours of instruction, in eight classes:

Tea 101 - Introduction to Tea
Tea 102 - Regions of the World
Tea 103 - Tea Sensory Development and Evaluation
Tea 104  - Tea Types
Tea 105  - Tea Garden Management
Tea 106  - Preparation and Consumption
Tea 107  - Menu design and Food pairing
Tea 108  - Tea Service Training

Note:  A cupping set and course text are required and are not included in the course tuition.  For more information please contact 403-410-1546.

Tea Sommelier Certificate Schedule of Classes

IMPORTANT NOTE: Fall 2012 courses open for registration on May 15, 2012.

Tea 101 - Introduction to Tea

This course is designed for the novice tea enthusiast, whether complementing a career in the hospitality industry or simply enhancing the enjoyment of tea. You will have an introduction to the history of tea and will learn how to differentiate the types of tea, as well as the tea grading standards used in the industry. You will also be initiated to the basics of tea terminology and proper cupping techniques.

$189.00
May 7 - 14; Mon 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (12 hrs)
Sep. 22 - 29; Sat 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (12 hrs)

Tea 102 - Regions of the World
You will learn about the principal tea-growing regions of the world and develop a fundamental understanding of tea - its evolution and its influence on culture and world events. You will also taste and evaluate teas that are representative of each region.

$349.00
Jun. 11 - 25; Mon 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (21 hrs)
Oct 13 - 27; Sat 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (21 hrs)

Tea 103 - Tea Sensory Development and Evaluation
In this course you will learn how we taste, what we rely on and what errors we should be aware of. The tea taster's vocabulary will be covered as well as tastings of various products such as chocolate and water to identify and fully understand the science of taste.

$295.00
Feb. 27 - Mar. 14; Mon & Wed 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (18 hrs)
Nov 17- Dec 1 ; Sat 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (18 hrs)

Tea 104 - Tea Types
This course will cover the types of teas produced in countries and regions of the world. Tasting and style comparisons will be a major component of this course.

$295.00
May 28 - Jun. 18 (no class June 4); Mon & Wed 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (18 hrs)
This course will also be offered in Winter 2013.

Tea 105 - Tea Garden Management
This course introduces advanced cultivation and processing practices used in the production of tea. The importance and impact of various processing decisions on the finished product will be emphasized, providing you with an essential understanding of modern tea garden management practices currently used in various regions of world production.

$295.00

Sept 5 - Sept 24; Mon & Wed 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (18 hrs)
This course will also be offered in Winter 2013.

Tea 106 - Preparation and Consumption
This course covers the preparation and consumption tea. You will use the skills gained in previous courses to prepare the perfect cup of tea.

$295.00

Oct 1 - Oct 22 (no class Oct 8); Mon & Wed 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (18 hrs)

This course will also be offered in Winter 2013

Tea 107 - Menu Design and Food Pairing
This course introduces you to the fundamentals of planning and development of tea beverage menus for a variety of food service and retail settings, including bed & breakfast operations, tea rooms, hotels, restaurants, and retail tea shops. Emphasis will be placed on generating revenue through effective menus with appropriate food pairings.

$295.00

Oct 29 - Nov 19 (no class Nov 12); Mon & Wed 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (18 hrs)

Tea 108 - Tea Service Training
This course provides training in traditional and contemporary styles of tea service for a variety of food service settings. Emphasis will be placed on the study and selection of tea wares and equipment for tea and other tea-related beverages. You will learn effective communication and culturally appropriate etiquette as they relate to tea and its service. In addition, the requirements for operating a hygienic, safe, and secure environment in accordance with Provincial and Federal Government regulations will be covered.

$295.00
Nov 26 - Dec 12; Mon & Wed 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (18 hrs)