Tea Talk Tuesdays
The First Tuesday of Every Month
Welcome to Tea Talk Tuesdays, where curiosity brews and conversations flow. Our thought-provoking
series gathers experts, innovators, and enthusiasts from the realms of food and agriculture
the first Tuesday of every month from 3:30-5:30pm at Stony Brook Southampton campus.
Each Tea Talk Tuesday session offers a delicious and soothing opportunity to explore new food, agricultural, and environmental topics, sparking insightful dialogues with new friends. From sustainability to culinary trends, from farm to table, our talks traverse the diverse landscapes of these interconnected fields, offering fresh perspectives and inspiring ideas.
We are delighted to announce that Harney & Sons, renowned purveyors of fine teas, is one of our esteemed sponsors for Tea Talk Tuesdays. “From its humble beginnings in 1983 by the company’s founder, John Harney, to today’s international reputation, Harney & Sons has stayed true to its simple promise to deliver customers the finest quality tea possible.” Simply delicious.
Join us for Tea Talk Tuesdays and be part of a vibrant exchange of ideas, insights, and inspirations. Let’s sip, savor, and shop from local purveyors of the finest the East End has to offer.
April 7th, 2026 - Joseph Realmuto
Join us for our April Tea Talk featuring Joseph Realmuto, Executive Chef of Honest Man Hospitality and the culinary force behind East End favorites including Nick & Toni’s, Rowdy Hall, La Fondita, Townline BBQ, and Coche Comedor. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Realmuto began his career at the renowned River Café in Brooklyn before returning to the Hamptons, where he rose through the kitchen at Nick & Toni’s to become executive chef of one of Long Island’s most celebrated restaurants.
Realmuto has shared his cooking with national audiences through appearances on the Food Network, including Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten, and has served as a guest chef at the James Beard House. Known for his commitment to seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, he works closely with East End farmers and maintains the organic garden behind Nick & Toni’s. Join us as Chef Realmuto shares insights from his culinary journey and the vibrant food culture of the East End.
March 3rd, 2026 - Foundations of the Food System: A Seed-Starting Workshop
Join us for our March Tea Talk focused on seeds—the foundation of our local food system.
As we prepare for the growing season, Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz will describe the art and science of seed starting, from variety selection and crop planning to soil health, timing, and the conditions that support strong early growth. Whether you’re growing in a backyard, a community plot, or at a production scale, understanding how to start seeds well is the first step in building a resilient harvest.
But this conversation goes beyond trays and transplant dates. The seeds we choose and the way we grow them shape our regional food economy, biodiversity, and access to fresh, nutritious food. Thoughtful seeding practices strengthen local farms, reduce reliance on distant supply chains, and support a more sustainable and equitable food system.
Come sip tea, connect with fellow growers and food advocates, and start the season with a deeper understanding of how small beginnings influence the food on our plates and the health of our community.
We look forward to growing with you.
February 3rd, 2026 - Edwina von Gal
Join us for a special Tea Talk with Edwina von Gal, Executive Director of the PRFCT Earth Project, as she offers a first look at Earth School—a new education initiative designed to train the next generation of land-care professionals in practices that support safer, healthier environments for all of us.
While Earth School is still in development, its mission is clear: to build a nationwide network of practitioners who understand how the ways we tend the land influence the quality of our soil, our water, and ultimately the food we grow and enjoy. Edwina will share how thoughtful, chemical-free land stewardship strengthens the ecosystems that nourish our plates, and why healthier landscapes lead to healthier communities.
Come sip tea, meet a visionary environmental leader, and discover how small, mindful choices—from our gardens to our grocery lists—can help cultivate a truly PRFCT earth.
January 13th, 2026 - Herbal Tea Workshop and Brainstorming
Join us for our January Tea Talk—an extra-special, hands-on session to welcome the new year. While our Tea Talks usually feature speakers from across the community on topics related to agriculture, food, and the environment, this month we’re shifting gears with an herbal tea workshop led by our Executive Director, Judiann Carmack-Fayyaz.
During this interactive session, you’ll explore the properties of a variety of herbs and teas, then create your own custom blend—crafted to soothe, energize, or support whatever you need most.
We’ll also spend a bit of time gathering ideas for future FoodLab programs and activities. Your thoughts and creativity are warmly welcomed.
Come sip, learn, create, and dream with us. We look forward to seeing you there!
December 2nd, 2025 - Joseph Pierce
Join us for our December Tea Talk featuring Joseph Pierce, author of Speculative Relations and Inaugural Director of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative at Stony Brook University. In this new book, Pierce considers the potential of Indigenous relations as a means of repairing the damages of history. His talk will explore Indigenous art and culture not as objects of study, but through relationships grounded in reciprocity and care for human and more-than-human beings. This event offers a meaningful opportunity to learn from a leading voice in Indigenous studies and relational thought.
November 4th, 2025 - Paula Montagna
Join us for our November Tea Talk featuring Paula Montagna, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC, Director of Clinical Nutrition at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. A Registered Dietitian with over 35 years of experience, Paula has combined her deep clinical expertise with a passion for Integrative and Functional Medicine. She created the “Eat Real to Heal” program, rooted in the Mediterranean lifestyle, to show how nutrition can play a transformative role in health and healing.
At this talk, Paula will share her insights on the power of food as medicine and how simple, sustainable choices can support well-being at every stage of life.
October 14th, 2025 - Frank Quevedo
Join us for our October Tea Talk featuring Frank Quevedo, Executive Director of the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO). Frank is a conservation leader whose work bridges marine science, public education, and coastal stewardship on Long Island. At SOFO, he has led the museum’s Shark Research and Education Program, which studies local shark populations through efforts like satellite-tagging juveniles, mapping nurseries, and sharing data that supports both ocean safety and public awareness. His leadership also extends to habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and community science projects that connect people of all ages to the natural systems shaping our shores.
Come hear Frank share insights from SOFO’s shark research and discover how local conservation efforts are helping to protect and sustain our coastal environment.
