VIP welcome will suit Deco event to a T

Merrill Fernando

The arrival of the Tremains Art Deco Weekend international ambassador today will be a very fitting and appropriate one.

Merrill Fernando, the founder of Dilmah Tea and the event's first official international ambassador, is scheduled to arrive at the Art Deco Trust today. His sons Dilhan and Malik are expected to be with him.

Word around Art Deco circles is that they will roll up in a Ford ... a Model 'T'.

Mr Fernando is a devotee of both Art Deco and community events, and this will be his first taste of what is now acclaimed as the top Art Deco event in the world. He is also a supporter of many charities.

The Fernando father and sons are set to take part in three new events on the schedule of around 200 on the full weekend list.

There will be the Dilmah Tea Lovers Lecture hosted by Dilhan Fernando.

It is all about how tea and wine have certain things in common.

As Art Deco general manager Sally Jackson said - "here's your chance to hear first-hand Master of Wine Bob Campbell and Merrill and Dilhan Fernando discuss the surprising similarities between the two most consumed beverages on earth".

There will also be Dilmah High Tea events consisting of two sessions.

"They are all about taking a high tea with the Dilmah tea aficionados - they will explain the complexities of tea where people get to both taste and learn," Mrs Jackson said.

The high tea will be served on vintage China.

At the second high tea event the Fernandos will touch on the Dilmah story and the links between Kiwis and the company.

A high tea, of course, will also be served.

The family will also be involved in judging the Kiwi winner of an international photo competition in Napier on the subject of drinking ... tea.