About this Event
Edible DC Salon Series Kickoff
Join us as we kick off the Edible DC Salon Series with a special celebration of Teaism's 30th Anniversary! It’s a fantastic chance to connect, sip some amazing tea, and dive into the story behind this iconic spot. Come experience good vibes, great company, and a love for all things tea. Don’t miss out on this fun and relaxed gathering!
For three decades, Teaism has been more than a restaurant. It has been a meeting place, a refuge, a workspace, a lunch spot, a first-date destination, and a gathering point for countless Washingtonians. What transforms a business into a beloved institution? Why do certain places become woven into the fabric of a city?
Join a conversation about the places that shape our lives and define our communities. Featuring Teaism leadership, local storyteller Austin Graff, and Deputy Director of Development, Design, and Preservation at the DC Office of Planning, Radhika Mohan, this discussion explores why certain places become more than destinations—they become part of the city's identity.
We will have tea and light refreshments prepared for guests in the lower floor of Teaism Penn Quarter at 5:50. You are welcome to order a larger meal or drink upstairs ahead of time
https://www.teaism.com/30th/
Agenda
Panelists
James Whitman
Info: James Whitman is the Publisher & Editor of Edible DC, the region’s guide to the people, places, and ideas shaping the food culture of the Mid-Atlantic. With a background in business publishing, consulting, and marketing, James brings a storyteller’s curiosity and a publisher’s focus to the magazine, connecting readers with the farmers, chefs, makers, entrepreneurs, and communities behind the region’s foodways. Under his leadership, Edible DC has expanded its focus from Washington, D.C., to the broader Mid-Atlantic, exploring the connections between food, agriculture, culture, and place.
Lela Singh
Info: Lela Singh is Teaism's Retail and Social Media Manager. She has been a part of Teaism for 20 years, and upholds Teaism's legacy as a premier source of tea expertise in the DC metro area — offering consultative services and attentive customer service to daily patrons, supporting wholesale account growth, managing vendor relationships, and producing events and partnerships with local institutions and organizations.
Radhika Mohan
Info: Radhika Mohan is a community development strategist, urban designer, and real estate development leader with over 15 years of experience guiding complex, high-impact projects across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She serves as the Deputy Director of Development, Design, and Preservation at the DC Office of Planning.
Austin Graff
Info: Austin K. Graff is a writer, content creator, and social media strategist. After leading social media and influencer marketing teams at International Justice Mission, Coca-Cola Company, and The Washington Post, Austin created the first-ever guide to all 136+ DC neighborhoods, telling stories of hope throughout the community online.
Event venue & nearby stays
Teaism Penn Quarter, 400 8th Street Northwest, Washington, United States
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