Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Spawton.
Hi marlene, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From the moment I first experienced afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Colombia, I was struck with a passion that resulted in the founding of Marlene’s Tea & Cakes. I experienced relaxation, civility, elegance, beauty, and deliciousness that apealed to all my senses, but lacked the charm found in many tearooms. Marlene’s Tea & Cakes combines the elegance of a hotel tea with the charms of a traditional tearoom, with a lot of attention to detail.
Despite the fact that I had an accomplished career as a software engineer for 12 years, the decision to change course to pursue my passion for afternoon tea seemed the right choice, I truly believe afternoon tea is the ultimate way to relax when meeting someone, whether for business or pleasure. Marlene’s Tea & Cakes makes every meeting a special one due to the setting of fine china on ironed tableclothes, with handcrafted floral arrangements, and food that are all made in-house.
The ambience at Marlene’s Tea & Cakes is for everyone to enjoy: friends, families, couples, company events, and even a meeting between strangers.
Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in an elegant dining room, or in a garden setting with many colorful flowers, fountains and bird feeders.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Most people think afternoon is just for women, but it is really an elegant and civil way to enjoy a snack with a cup of tea. Therefore, it is for everyone. We are seeing more families (including males) bonding over tea, and couples on dates. Our challenge is to let people know that afternoon tea is a necessary reprieve from a busy and hectic life.
Another obstacle or challenge is finding people to work for me, who understand what afternoon tea is about. We want attention to detail in every aspect. Most people are familiar with only regular restaurants.
Before covid, no one wanted to have tea outdoors. However, we were forced to serve outdoors during covid, so I had to think of a way for people to want to have tea outdoors. I knew people love seeing plants and birds, so I purchased many bird feeders, plants and flowers, making the patio a garden sanctuary. Today, although it is a challenge to maintain a beautiful garden, people love having tea in our garden patio.
It is very hard work to maintain a business with a high level of excellence, when the quality of the workforce is not there. I have to do a lot of baking, cleaning, talking (to customers), and gardening. Marlene’s Tea & Cakes is definitely a labor of love.
We’ve been impressed with Marlene’s Tea & Cakes, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I make almost everything in-house (with exception to breads for sandwiches): I make/bake the scones and all the desserts with the finest ingredients (such as Callebaut chocolates and Valrhona cocoa). We freshly make all items on a daily basis.
What makes you happy?
My customers are always happy to be at Marlene’s Tea & Cakes. They come looking and feeling pretty because it is a special occasion when having afternoon tea. No matter how tired I am, and sometimes wondering why I work so hard, all I have to do is talk to my customers, and I immediately feel better. Gratification.
Pricing:
- $52.00 per person (does not include tax and gratuity)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marlenesteaandcakes.com/
- Instagram: marlenesteaandcakes
- Facebook: marlenesteaandcakes
