Radford Collegian brings a taste of Japan to Canberra with Teddy’s Matcha Pop-Up

Radford College is proud to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of one of our Collegians, Class of 2017 Thomas French who has recently launched a vibrant new venture, Teddy’s Matcha CBR — a Japanese-inspired pop-up matcha stall now turning heads across the capital.

As recently featured in HerCanberra, the brain behind Teddy’s Matcha is a proud Radford graduate whose love for Japanese culture, wellness, and specialty teas has blossomed into a small business with big heart. The pop-up stall, which made its debut in mid-2025, offers a refreshing menu of ceremonial-grade matcha drinks, matcha-infused treats, and a strong dose of community connection.

The idea for Teddy’s Matcha was sparked during a post-graduation trip to Japan, where Thomas and co-founder, Austine was inspired by the artistry and mindfulness that surrounds traditional matcha preparation. Bringing that inspiration back to Canberra, they have created a stall that fuses modern style with timeless ritual.

Teddy’s Matcha has quickly gained a loyal following and has popped up at markets and events across the region—including the Haig Park Village Markets and select university campuses—delighting locals with its signature iced matcha lattes, strawberry matcha fizz, and limited-edition matcha mochi donuts.

We will also see them pop up their matcha stall at the upcoming Radford College Twilight Fete on Saturday, 1 November 2025 between 3 pm and 7 pm.

We are thrilled to see a Radford Collegian embracing innovation, culture, and community through such a unique and creative venture. Congratulations on this exciting journey—we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Follow along at @teddysmatcha.cbr on Instagram to find the next pop-up location.

Photos and parts of content extracted from HerCanberra