It may not have taken place in "Kitchen Stadium," but the Nebraska Florist Society's (NFS) take-off on the Food Network's Iron Chef television show had just as much intensity.

The "Iron Florist" competition, held April 13 during NFS's spring meeting, involved six steadfast competitors challenged to create three floral arrangements with only two buckets of flowers and that "Iron Chef" staple: the secret ingredient (equisetum, or horsetail, for the competing florists). 

The competitors had to design, on the spot, a garden-party centerpiece, a bridesmaid's bouquet and a freestyle arrangement, while the host commented on the flurry of activity. To add to the pressure: the original 90-minute timeframe was cut in half, due to spring meeting announcements, according to challenger Craig Boetger, NAFD.

NFS's "Iron Florist," Craig Boetger, NAFD, of Piccolo's Florist & Gifts in Omaha at last year's Sylvia Cup Design Competition.

That didn't stop Boetger from designing all three pieces and snagging the top prize, as "Iron Florist." "I spent half of my time doing my bridesmaid bouquet," says Boetger, of Piccolo's Florist & Gifts in Omaha.

Boetger is no stranger to design competitions — he competed in the Sylvia Cup Design Competition at SAF Palm Springs 2007.

Julie Hoffman of Greens Greenhouses & Treasure House in Fremont went all-out for the occasion: Donning a chef's hat and apron, she created a floral version of sushi for her freestyle creation with flowers and grasses configured into sushi shapes and plated to "serve" to the judges.

"I thought, what would the Iron Chef do? Make sushi," Hoffman explains.

Florists looking for competition at the national level should consider the Sylvia Cup, the longest running, annual, live, national floral design competition in the industry. To compete, contact Jenny Stromann at jstromann@safnow.org or (703) 836-8700.

--Morgan Schimminger
mschimminger@safnow.org

 

Previous Article    Next Article