Hospitality

If there was one thing that impressed me during my time in Kemerovo, it was the people's amazing hospitality. We were fed like royalty nearly everywhere we went on our 2005 summer mission trip. As a result many of our packed lunches sat untouched on the bus... except maybe for the candy bar! Orphanages, social centers, churches, and families laid out spectacular tables for the American visitors. It didn't matter if they were one of the poorest orphanages in the region, if they were already pressed for time and money feeding dozens of hard working construction workers, or if we had inconveniently come late. The Russians always served their delicious and beautiful teas with a smile. We busy and convenience-minded Americans really could learn something from the Russian's sacrifice in hospitality.

Would you like to try out a little Russian hospitality along with your kitchen skills? Why not treat someone to an authentic Russian tea!

A Russian Tea

When you read the word "tea," images of dainty sandwiches and petits fours may play across your mind. This is not a good picture of a typical Russian tea. Quite often we have found ourselves sitting down to a many course meal. At other times tables are stuffed with different foods like in the above picture. Teas come in all shapes and sizes. Here are the basic types.

A Small Tea

At one church we were served a simple tea of famous Yashkino wafers and some other store bought cookies. Don't be ashamed to serve something simple like this church thoughtfully did. You can make your guests feel welcome with just one easy but special treat.

Lunch

If you are having guests at noon (Any time of day will work if you are in Russia.), prepare a table covered with tempting dishes Russian style. Be sure to have a few kinds of sandwiches and salads, as well as plates of bread, fruit, vegetables, and baskets of cookies. If you still have room on the table, add a plate of sliced meat and cheese and a special dessert.

Dinner

Often times "tea" means a many course meal. First course would be a soup such as borsch. Next would come large servings of mashed potatoes covered with meat and gravy. Last of all tea and dessert are served. The table would be covered with many of the same things you would find at a lunch sized tea as well. When serving such a tea, remember to cover the table with more food than your guests could possibly eat!