Catherine Lashko - Owner - The Tea Leaf Inc.

Catherine is a 20 year veteran of the hospitality industry and began her career after graduating from Toronto's Bartending School. Catherine began her career as a part time bar tender at Raclette Restaurant and Wine Bar in Toronto. Catherine tended bar, served tables and rose to the position of General Manager. During her tenure at Raclette the restaurant received the "Wine Spectator Award of Excellence". Catherine held a variety of service and management positions at many of Toronto's leading restaurants, including Loons and Spiaggia in the Beach, Marcel's Bistro, The Continental Dining Room at The Prince Hotel, Hemispheres at the Metropolitan Hotel and the Mc Gill Club.

It was when Catherine accepted the position as Director of Food & Beverage at the newly renovated Windsor Arms Hotel that her fascination with tea started to unfold.

With Miriam Novalle, world famous tea guru and owner of The T Salon & Tea Emporium in New York City as the hotels advisor, Catherine worked with Miriam and the rest of the Windsor Arms team to oversee the re-creation of the Tea Rooms tea and food menus, the purchase of its elegant tea service and room design, all intended to bring back the greatness of the experience of tea at the Tea Room at the Windsor Arms.

Catherine left the Windsor Arms with a new vision and a fascination with the world of tea. During a short work period, intended to gain some hands on retail experience, Catherine researched the market to find the best location to begin her new business in tea. Having opened "The Tea Leaf" in the Beach in 2002, The Tea Leaf's business has continued to grow.

It was while working at the Windsor Arms and studying to become a wine sommelier that Catherine realized the many similarities between tea and wine. As no formal tea education programs were available to her, she embarked on her journey of personal self development and training in all matters concerning tea. Catherine has traveled Canada from coast to coast, throughout the USA and to the Far East including Japan to satisfy her ever increasing curiosity about tea.

Catherine, said to be one of the most knowledgeable tea specialists in Canada by many in the industry and frustrated by the lack of formal tea training opportunities has built an online tea education program that will allow everyone to participate in acquiring knowledge about the fascinating world of tea. Catherine has brought together an international team of tea and education specialists to put together her training program to offer a comprehensive, professional and exciting experience and invites you to join her on her in learning more about the wonderful world of tea.