Cabbage Cleopatra is tops at flower show
Norwest News
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Like unravelling crumpled silk, a cabbage leaf dress sweeps out before the regal Cleopatra.
Known for her beauty baths, her blue cauliflower-seeded eye-shadow adorns the alluring windows of her soul where her eyebrows and lips are of cabbage-seed flavour.
Her asparagus shoulder-length hair dangles on to a decorative broadbean neck piece.
Leading along a cut purple cabbage path, the Egyptian queen’s rhubarb couch rests on a carpet of apples.
The potato and kumara steps are edged with frilly red lettuce.
Behind serving her, the Nubian slave made of red kidney beans is dressed in bok choy.
Like most royalty, the scene before the crowds ensures its usual awe-inspired hush.
But it’s the unseen behind-the-scenes work of The Vege People team, led by Taupaki resident Julena Moors, who deserve the praise.
The Cleopatra veggie people exhibit at the Auckland Flower Show was one of the most popular, earning a gold award in the horticulture avenue, best in show for horticultural exhibit of the year and joint award for best designer of the year and a close second in the people’s choice.
The Garden Lighting Company of Taupaki whose work featured in the display received a silver award.
"Everybody was raving about Cleopatra.
"It was like a picture book which was incredible.
"It was a wonder of the show," says Mrs Moors, a fennel grower and floral designer.
Her team of five worked about 300 hours in a few days to arrange their display.
"It was a marathon task to get it together but it paid off in the end and the public were pleased."
Meanwhile, proceeds from the new Auckland Vegetable Growers Society calendar will go towards getting the veggie people team ready for next year’s show.
The calendar features previous award-winning vegetable sculptures with their impeccable detail and quality produce.
For orders, visit the website www.vegecalendar.com, phone Julena on 412-9216 or pick up a copy at Vegeco Fruit Shop, 172 Highway 16, Whenuapai.
