A Q&A with Caroline Crabb AIFD, Interflora Florist of the Year Finalist

The Interflora World Cup will be held for the first time in the UK, in September 2023. To find the UK competitor this year, the competition was open to every single florist in the United Kingdom whether a member of Interflora or not. The first stage was a photographic round in which the designs would be judged by the UK Floristry Judges Guild.

Why did you decide to enter the competition?

When the information about the Interflora UK Florist of the Year competition was advertised, I looked at the details and was much undecided on whether to enter, as it was a busy time of year for the shop.

After a little (lot of) pressure from my peers I decided to enter, with my main reason being that it would be good practice for the Europa Cup, (August 2022) as it had been over two years since I had put any focus on competition level work.

Once Christmas and New Year passed, I knew I needed to focus on the task of creating my three designs for the first part of the competition.

Did you have any untoward challenges?

The week before I had set aside time to work on designs, I caught Covid; somehow, I managed to make the designs and photographed and sent in before the deadline. The process took a lot of effort as all I wanted to do was sleep; somehow, I got it done, even if it did take me much longer than normal.

(The photographic round saw the UK Floristry Judges Guild judge 63 entries which they had to cut down to just 10, the semi-finalists.)

When did you find out you were thru to the next round?

At the end of February, I was notified that I had made the semi-finals, which I was delighted with. I knew it would bring a few more challenges, as I was still waiting to hear if the Europa cup was still going ahead, but in usual fashion I just put my head down and got on with business.

Once the schedule arrived for the semi-finals, I sat down and put my thinking cap on! The overall theme was ‘Growing Together’, which we had to complete three tasks.

1: A fully wired bridal bouquet

2: A hand tied design

3: Surprise package

How did you make out in the semi-finals?

I was lucky enough to make it to the final 5 and my next challenge would be the final. I was extremely happy, but as the Europa Cup was going ahead, I knew I had lot of work to do to to get both competitions ready, and as the shop was in full swing with lots weddings, it was going to be evenings and weekends that would be my time to focus on them.

Once the schedule arrived, I set to work on planning my designs.

What was the schedule for the final?

1: Design a shawl inspired by botanical roots that must be suitable to wear during judging.

2: Table for two inspired by nature.

3: Inspired by bark, create a tied design incorporating a framework.

4: Surprise design.

The shawl frame work was made using aluminium wire covered in wool varying in its thickness to represent natural roots; the frame work took me 5 days to make. The flowers were added in my hotel from the evening before.

I took a risk with the handtied as it was made up using mainly plants, which I cut and placed in to tubes. All the plant materials used were epiphytes. The frame work was made using eucalyptus bark, which was tied using a framework.

The table I made from an old tree root that I had, and the top was made from a piece of Cornish elm. For the stools, I upcycled two old lamp bases. The framework on the table was made from kiwi vine.

I quite enjoy surprise designs, the added pressure is there to make you think on your feet and pull from all your knowledge in design to create a design using items selected by someone else. I have learned not to use everything that is given to you as it can just muddle the design. In the 15 minutes prep time, I focus on the flowers and sundry items I wished to use and how I was going to make them work together

Why do you enter competitions?

I wouldn’t say I had a favourite thing about competing; I compete to challenge myself which is something I don’t always get the chance to do in my day-to-day life in the florist shop!

I enter competitions to challenge myself and develop my skills.

“Caroline Crabb Aifd Mdpf of Fleurtations Cornwall took third place at the Interflora Florist of the Year finals with an awesome collection of designs that paid more than a little homage to her love of succulents … she has the most amazing collection – some of them very rare.” Caroline Marshall- Foster The Florist

Next on the horizon is the Europa Cup in Poland this August

Best of luck to Caroline who is the UK competitor for the Europa Cup in Poland, after so many cancelations and dates moved from one year to the next the time has finally arrived to get stuck in and finalise your designs for this most prestigious competition.

European Florist Championship – Europa Cup 2022

If you wish to follow along with Caroline’s journey – follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/caroline.crabb.35.