Contribute
A cup of tea may seem ordinary. But in that one cup lies comfort, culture, conversation — and connection.
On July 26th, 2025, a month before WordCamp US 2025, we at WPKitchen began a small experiment called Tea Time. The idea was simple: to serve tea to WordPress community members who couldn’t attend WordCamp US in person, but wished they could. With the help of sponsors chosen by attendees, we created a shared experience across continents. One cup of tea, one person at a time — connecting the WordPress community in a truly human way. No big prizes. No formalities. Just tea, warmth, and respect.
We’d like to take a moment to thank James Sansbury, C.E.O. at Tugboatqa.com, who listened with care, believed in our idea, and stepped forward to bring Tea Time to the WordPress community as the lead supporter.
In just a few weeks, 31 cups of tea have already been reserved or shared. Each cup reminds us that every serving carries a story — and the very first story begins with someone truly special.
We had hoped Tea Time would begin with the symbolic presence of Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress. We invited him not as a judge, but as our Chief Guest. With his gracious approval, Seat #001 is now reserved in his honor — because his work with WordPress made this entire idea possible in the first place.
He chose symbolic participation over direct involvement. He offered his presence and goodwill — without needing to step into the role of judge. It was a reminder: leadership is not always about choosing; sometimes it is about allowing others to choose, while you stand behind them as strength.
Thus, Seat #001 in Tea Time was reserved for Matt Mullenweg, as a lasting tribute.
But if Matt would not choose the winner, then who would?
Destiny decided. The very first person who cast a vote in our LinkedIn poll became the first Tea Time winner. His name is Tanvir Ramzan, from Lahore.
Tanvir is an experienced software engineer, skilled in WordPress, Wix, and Webflow. He is fluent in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and PHP — but beyond the code lies his true strength: management and leadership qualities that inspire teams. An IT engineer from the University of Education, Lahore, he represents the new generation of Pakistan’s WordPress professionals: capable, confident, and global.
And so, our first cup of tea travels from Faisalabad to Lahore, carrying with it the symbolic presence of Matt, and the excitement of starting something new.
But every story has its challenges.
Some attendees of #WCUS25 were invited to help us choose winners, yet a few chose silence. Similarly, some Tea Time winners, when informed of their gift, did not respond. Seven out of thirty-one cups remain untouched — unclaimed by those who won them.
We do not complain. We do not force. Tea is not a transaction; it is an invitation. For those who have not accepted, their tea remains reserved until 14th September 2025. After that date, we will donate the tea to charity, as we have already done with some cups. Because tea, like kindness, should never be wasted.
Today, 68 cups out of 100 are still waiting to be served. This is our humble appeal to attendees and participants: please join us, support us, and help make Tea Time a tradition of WordCamps.
We will continue to share tea for as long as we can, right up until one month before WordCamp Canada 2025 begins — and from there, we hope to carry the tradition forward with the support of its attendees.
Together, let’s make every cup count. ☕✨
At its heart lies WPKitchen — serving more than just lunches and tea, but a sense of connection within the WordPress community.
A community doesn’t grow with code alone.
It grows through conversations.
And mostly, a cup of tea begins the conversation. ☕