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Natasha Pearman Founder |
Natasha is a keen yogi and foodie. Taiki Tea was borne from a love of coffee which Natasha quit in 2015. Natasha missed her coffee ritual and found that the available alternatives didn't quite hit the spot of her beloved Flat White. Then she found matcha and so began an amazing journey and Taiki Tea. Natasha is not only sourcing organic Matcha tea, but she is also collaborating with ceramic artists local to her home in East London to realise her vision of taking the traditional ceremonial elements of matcha tea, whilst adding more than a smidge of East London's distinctive vibe and energy. |
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Melissa Pearman Brand and Marketing Manager |
Melissa brings several years of experience in retail management, product development and purchasing to Taiki Tea. Her previous roles include being a key member of the buying team at Boots. She is a keen health and fitness enthusiast, you will mostly find her pounding the pavements, training for a half marathon. This year she hopes to complete her eighth race. Apart from running, Melissa is a not so secret knitter in her spare time. Lucky for her, socks are her specialty, so we all have cosy feet here at Taiki HQ. |
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Libby Limon Resident Nutritionist |
Libby Limon is a degree qualified, London based Nutritional Therapist as well as experienced yoga teacher. As a independent Nutritional Therapist, Nutrition Consultant and Yoga Teacher, she has busy clinics in Clerkenwell and Marylebone and teaches studio yoga classes at Frame. She regularly writes or provides expert comment in the media including Shortlist, Telegraph.co.uk, Huffington Post, The Independent, Sunday Times, Style, Evening Standard, Glamour Magazine, Getthegloss.com, Natural Health Magazine, Your Fitness Today magazine, Thelifestyle.com, Womens Health Magazine etc. |
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Neal Gruer Photography |
Neal Gruer is a photographer and writer, currently based in Glasgow. Formerly a lawyer in London, he is now a full-time creative; appearing on Sky Arts' "Master of Photography" television competition in May 2016, writing freelance about films, and penning his first novel. A travel enthusiast, he first came across matcha tea on a trip that took in several parts of the far East. Particularly after experiencing its delicious versatility it in sweets and ice creams, he became a big fan, so is delighted to be part of Taiki Tea. He is also an excellent whisker, so is the person to ask if you want a nice bowl of bubbly matcha. To see examples of Neal's photographic and written work visit www.momentousecho.com and www.godontgo.com. |  |
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Liz O'Keefe Chef and Recipe developer |
Qualified chef, recipe developer and food writer, Liz O'Keefe is the home economist on LandScape magazine, writing 21 seasonal recipes per issue, and the former cookery editor of national foodie magazine, eat in. She has also travelled the world writing about food for business magazine Fresh Produce Journal and spent five years cooking in hotels and restaurants, before retraining as a journalist, and later studying food styling at Leiths. Liz published her first cookery book all about commercially growing, eating and cooking British peppers, The Great British Pepper Cookbook (Redshank Publishing), in November 2014. And her next book, provisionally titled The Mushroom Book (Lorenz Publishing), is set for release in autumn 2016. |
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Anna Starr Ceramist |
Ceramics artist, born and forever based in London. Previously a Pharmacology researcher and teacher at Kings College London, Anna found the transition to the world of clay a natural and seamless one. Embracing technical challenges, utilitarianism and ventures into the controlled unknown. Little wonder, her work is dominated by thrown, functional pieces that subtly echo the roots and history of their use. Anna is currently studying Ceramic Design at City Lit and works as a mentor at Turning Earth Studios. |  |
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Jim Boddington Ceramist |
Jim Boddington is a doctor and part-time potter based in Hackney, East London. He makes simple functional stoneware, with minimal decorative detail, influenced by the aesthetics of mid-twentieth century modernist design. Jim first made pots as a teenager on a neighbour's wheel and remembers being captivated by the experience. Returning to pottery later in life, he finds the process of throwing clay on the wheel deeply absorbing and meditative, a valuable counterpoint to the demands of medical practice. He finds great satisfaction in the knowledge that his work becomes a part of people's everyday lives and rituals. |  |
