FED:Kevin Rudd wins Twinings tea challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2011
FED:Kevin Rudd wins Twinings tea challenge

By Jennifer Chapman

SYDNEY, Aug 23 AAP - When it comes to tea, Kevin Rudd knows his leaves. The Foreign
Affairs Minister is the winner of the Twinings Australian Afternoon Tea Challenge.

The announcement was made at the Observatory Hotel in Sydney on Tuesday by Stephen
Twining, who is visiting Australia from London.

Mr Rudd wasn't at the event, but said via videolink he was thrilled.

"The win is a win for Australia's animals, with 10 cents from every tin going to the
RSPCA," he said.

"The other thing I'd say is how much I appreciate the support I've got right across
the Australian community, (I) thank them all for their votes in support of this particular
tea blend, and finally, to all the other competitors, including my grand competitor Alan
Jones ... but it's been great that everybody's participated in the competition with a
spirit of camaraderie and a spirit of raising funds for our charities of choice," Mr Rudd
said.

"So to everyone out there who supports the work of the RSPCA, can I encourage you to
get out there and support this particular blend because it helps all those animals out
there in need of love, care and attention."

Twinings invited 150 celebrities with the objective of creating a quintessential Australian
afternoon tea blend. There were 63 responses and they were eventually whittled down to
the top five, comprising Mr Rudd, Jones, TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley, surfing champ Layne
Beachley and country music star John Williamson.

"Overall the standard of blending was very impressive," Mr Twining told AAP.

"To get down from 10 to five was a difficult task."

Each competitor was given access to the same Twinings ingredients and some of them
created smokey blends with a billy tea aspect, while others developed full-bodied blends,
strong in flavour.

"The whole objective here was to have teas created by an Australian for Australians,"

Mr Twining said.

There was a total of 85,000 public votes from across Australia.

The winning blend will be launched on Australia Day 2012 and will be on sale for a
year as a limited edition.

AAP jen/jca/cd/sn

KEYWORD: TEA RUDD

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