17 November 2005

It’s official – the way to a Peoples Choice Award at Ellerslie Flower Show is through the stomach! 

Auckland Vegetable Growers and Landscapes Ltd tantalising ‘walk through menu’ exhibit in the Hort Galore Marquee has proved a hit with Show crowds.

The multi-award winning team headed by Julena Moors and Dave Farley from Auckland Vegetable Growers and Julie Moore from Landscapes Ltd  has wowed crowds with their exhibit’s edible displays and fantastic local produce.

A pig on a spit is the exhibit’s real eye-catcher – although this little piggy is strictly vegetarian, made entirely from peanuts and lit with lights shining through capsicums placed under its belly.

Ruth Clausen, international Judge from New York, says the winning exhibit is an excellent reflection on the horticultural industry.

“The exhibit is very imaginative and beautifully executed, with attention to minute detail. The plants and vegetables are all packed in so precisely, it gives a sense of true perfection.

It is inspired, it is absolutely gorgeous,” she says.

Damian Cooper, Ellerslie Flower Show Exhibitor Manager says the Auckland Vegetable Growers and Landscapes Ltd exhibit had all the ingredients to win this year’s Peoples Choice Award.

“The exhibit has great detail, movement and height. It’s the people who are the critics for this award, so it’s all about instant appeal and memorability.

The Peoples Choice Award is about the one that stands out from the crowd, the one that people will talk about for weeks afterward. The walk-through menu has the novelty factor and has proved a real crowd-pleaser at Ellerslie!” he says.

It’s the second time in three years that Auckland Vegetable Growers and Landscapes Ltd have won the Peoples Choice Award at the Show, testament to their innovative and creative exhibits that continue to inspire and engage visitors at Ellerslie Flower Show.

The Ellerslie Flower Show 2005 is Like Never Before, with innovation, inspiration and floral delights. The Show blooms from 16–20 November at Auckland Botanic Gardens. Tickets can be purchased at any Ticketek outlet, by contacting 09 307 5000 (or your local Ticketek number), via the website www.ticketek.co.nz or at the gate.