Volcano Art Center is proud to support, co-sponsor and host the TOTUS (Tea Of The United States) Awards! The first ever national tea competition and TOTUS Community Tea-In for US grown tea will be held Saturday, November 7, 2015 at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Tea growers and farmers are invited to submit samples of Camellia Sinensis tea grown in the United States and become part of the origin of pride! The competition has two divisions, Commercial with cash awards and Non-Commercial with certificate awards open to all that grow Camellia sinensis tea in the U.S. The deadline for online entries is October 16, 2015. To learn more about requirements and deadlines please visit www.TOTUS1awards.com
The competition takes place on November 4th juried in a closed to the public review session with an expert panel of judges including Bruce Richardson, Jane Pettigrew, Kevin Gascoyne, David De Candia, Selena Ahmed and Stephen Rouelle. The judging of the teas is based on established industry standards and encourages innovation.
Public opening of the competition results, with the panel of judges giving lecture presentations on many fascinating topics related to tea culture, the arts and tea agriculture from around the globe will take place during the TOTUS Community Tea-In on Saturday, November 7, 2015 from 9am to 5pm. In addition to the day of enlightening talks and presentations by professionals in the arts and science of tea worldwide, an exhibition of TOTUS (Tea Of The United States) Award Competition entries will be on display.
All TOTUS events will be held at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, (19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano, HI 96785).
Admission for the TOTUS Community Tea-In is required with preregistration (purchase before 12noon on Friday Nov. 6) at $20 per person ($18 for VAC and Hawai’i Tea Society Members). Tickets may also be purchased at the door at $25 per person ($20 for active VAC and Hawai’i Tea Society Members). Purchase tickets here!
