Samara Rooke started working for Sharetea after moving back to Wagga from Wollongong. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
Who are you?
My name is Samara Rooke, and I’m a part-time employee at Sharetea.
Tell me about Sharetea?
Sharetea is a bubble tea company that sells a variety of drinks. Some contain oolong, green, and black tea. Others include slushies, yogurt, and smoothies. The drinks originated in Taiwan.
How did you get involved in the hospitality industry?
I started in the hospitality industry at 16. I worked at Uneke Lounge before I was let go due to COVID.
I lived in Wollongong for about a year, and there were a few bubble tea stores down there, including Sharetea. And I went to Sharetea a lot – a concerning amount.
When I returned to Wagga and realised they had opened here, I applied online and eventually received a message asking for an interview.
If you weren’t in hospitality, what would you be doing instead?
I would be doing learning support in schools for kids with disabilities.
I enjoyed it when I was studying the TAFE course. I would like to do it again in the future.
What is your best recent dining experience?
My best recent dining experience was in Melbourne. I went to a cute Japanese cafe called Tomo’s Little Collins, and I had a strawberry latte, smashed avocado, and poached eggs on sourdough.
What is your favourite cuisine?
My favourite cuisine is Italian and choosing my favourite dish is difficult. There are too many.
How many Weet-Bix do you do?
I’m gluten intolerant, so I can’t have Weet-Bix.
Sharetea’s famous brown sugar Tiger Tea. Photo: Sharetea Australia.
What is the best coffee spot in Wagga?
The best coffee spot would have to be Uneke Lounge.
What is your favourite coffee to drink?
I’m pretty basic when it comes to coffee. I like iced coffee.
Sharetea has a variety of tea flavours. Photo: Sharetea Australia.
Next big thing in the Wagga food scene:
A French cafe would be nice. It would be cool if the crepe place (La Crepe’Rit) opened a store here.
Favourite place to lunch in Wagga:
My favourite lunch place is Grilled. They have some good burgers there.
A must-try on our menu:
A must-try from Sharetea’s menu would be the purple rice yoghurt.
Check out the yoghurt range at Sharetea and try the purple rice yoghurt. Photo: Sharetea Australia.
Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?
Jim Carrey. I wonder what I’d make him. I’m not a very good cook. So I’ll probably make him a purple rice yoghurt.
Who is your biggest culinary influence?
My mother. Before I moved out last year for university, I learned a lot from her on how to cook things. I was pretty privileged growing up that I never really had to cook my own food or anything. She definitely taught me a lot during those times.
Sharetea is located inside Wagga Wagga Marketplace. Photo: Sharetea Australia.
Who I admire in the Wagga food and wine scene:
Coffee Guru. A lot of people dine there. They are usually there pretty early and tend to leave quite late. They are always running around and very attentive to customers.
What TV show are you watching right now?
I’m rewatching Criminal Minds, and I’m up to season seven.
What is your death row meal?
A halal snack pack and the mango passion fruit green tea.
What is your dream destination?
Anywhere in Europe.
What is your biggest fear?
The dark. I have a huge phobia of the dark.
What are your top three tea making tips?
- Use fresh ingredients.
- If you add any flavours to tea – black tea tends to taste more like tea, whereas green tea, you won’t taste it as much.
- Experiment with your tea flavours.
Sharetea is located inside Wagga Wagga Marketplace opposite Woolworths and is open seven days from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and on Thursday from 9:30 am to 8 pm.
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