Interflora’s renowned Florist of the Year competition is back, and this time it’s better than ever, with the chance to represent the UK and Ireland at the World Cup in 2023 as the ultimate prize.
In the past, this prestigious competition was only open to florists who were part of the Interflora network, but times have changed. Interflora recognise that the future of our industry depends on nurturing and promoting floristry talent throughout the UK and Ireland, whether that florist is working in a local shop, in a unit on a business park or from home.
How you can enter
The heats for Interflora Florist of the Year are photographic, which means that you submit photographs of your competition piece for each of the three schedules. The theme for the competition heats is “Inspired by Nature” and you can find the three schedules here.
To enter the competition heats, complete the entry form here on the UK Floristry Judges Guild website. You’ll also need to pay an entry fee of £15.
The competition heats opened on 1st November 2021 and close on 31st January 2022.
So, why should you compete?
Seasoned floristry competitors all attest to the fact that competition work improves your day-to-day floristry. It gives you a different perspective and will inspire you to use the techniques you learn in your everyday floristry. Competitions certainly help you to improve your speed, develop your eye for design, help with your colour and flower choices and generally refines your skills. They also help you to become more imaginative with the materials you use.
Apart from developing your floristry skills, taking part in competitions will expand your horizons. You’ll meet other florists and make new friends as you all compete, sharing ideas and learning from each other. You’ll also learn from the judges and build on your experience, developing your skills with every competition.
Not everyone can be a winner, but you’ll gain so much by just taking part; valuable experience that you can take back to your everyday floristry life.
What happens next?
Once the competition heats have closed at the end of January 2022, the UK Floristry Judges Guild will assess and mark all of the photographic entries. The top scoring competitors will be invited to take part in a live semi-final over the weekend of 23rd - 24th April 2022 and the best of the best will then go forward to a live final over the weekend of 2nd - 3rd July 2022.
Both the semi-final and final will he held in the stunning surroundings of RHS Bridgewater in Manchester, the RHS’s newly opened garden and historic landscape.
Every competitor in the heats, semi-final and final will receive a Certificate of Participation which may be used in your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.
The winner and runners-up in the Florist of the Year final will all receive cash prizes, whilst all of the finalists will receive bespoke social media marketing support to help them promote their business and achievements.
If you need even more reasons to enter, take a look at what top florist and judge Karen Barnes has to say about competition floristry here.
Or follow these tips for competing from the UK Floristry Judges Guild.
