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The event, which benefited the Santa Clarita Valley Emergency Winter Shelter, featured two seatings, both of which were sold out said Elda Meguerditchian, owner of The Tea Gardens.
“It’s for a good cause. We have two seatings and we sold out of both so we’re very happy,” she said.
Meguerditchian said she holds an annual “Tea Parties for the Cause” and Katz brought the idea of supporting the winter shelter to her.
“Harrison Katz brought it to my attention,” she said. “I do different Tea Parties for a Cause every year. This year it is for the winter shelter and I thought it was a great cause.”
Katz said he is a member of the board of the SCV shelter.
“I think it is an important issue. What a better way to help than to throw a charity tea for the shelter, especially on Valentine’s Day?” he said. “Have a little bit of a heart.”
Katz said The Tea Gardens is one of his favorite restaurants in the SCV.
“I’ve been coming here every Friday for the last two years. I have my favorite tea, I like Island Green, it is the best iced tea you’ll ever have,” he said.
A large contingent of Katz supporters, friends and family attended the event.
“I’m happy to be here with my friends and family,” he said.
Nikki Berra and Easton Schirra were also among the attendees.
Berra, who works at The Tea Gardens, has wanted to attend one of the teas as a guest.
“I wasn’t working today and I had worked another tea event and I thought it was so cute I wanted to be part of it as a guest,” she said.
She also has known Katz since the eighth grade, she said.
“I came to see her in a play,” Katz said.
Schirra said The Tea Gardens is one of his favorite places to eat.
“I live in Pasadena now, but I drive back to the SCV just to eat at The Tea Gardens,” he said. “Elda’s scones are amazing. My favorite are the pumpkin scones.”
Lisa Gaston and her sister, Karen Herwig, sisters from Stevenson Ranch, also attended the tea.
“This is our first time at a tea at The Tea Gardens and this is a lovely event,” said Gaston. “The music is fantastic and it is nice that the proceeds go to the winter shelter. It encourages me to make an additional donation.”
Guitarist and songwriter Melissa Kaye entertained guests during the two seatings, the first held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the second 2-4 p.m.
The Valentine’s theme was carried over to the food, which featured creamy tomato soup with heart-shaped parmesan croutons, sweetheart cucumber sandwiches, prosciutto wraps, petit spinach quiches, salmon floettes, raspberry and cream scones served with Amaretto clotted cream and preserves, petit fours, XOXO mini cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, “My Heart” cherry pies and a tea of your choice.
The Tea Gardens, which opened two years ago, recently expanded into an adjoining space that gives the small restaurant additional seating and a place to hold the increasingly popular “tea parties,” said Meguerditchian.
The Tea Gardens is located at 26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus (in the IHOP center), (661) 255-9832, www.theteagardens.com. For information on the SCV Emergency Winter Shelter visit www.santaclaritashelter.com.
