Dennis van Wonderen
Events Director for the British Florist Association
Dennis is Events Director for the British Florist Association. We asked him about Eurofleurs taking place at Tatton Park Show this year, involving RHS Chelsea Young Florist of the Year, Joe Massie, who we also speak to.
Each representative has won a series of qualifying heats so they are the best of the bunch, you might say!
Royal Horticultural Society What’s all the excitement about, Dennis?
Dennis van Wonderen Basically Eurofleurs is one of the top trophies for young florists. It’s organised by Florint, which is the international florists’ organisation and rather like the soccer World Cup, it’s held every four years. This year the BFA won their bid to hold the final at RHS Show Tatton Park which is fantastic. There are 12 countries competing, each representative has won a series of qualifying heats in their own country, so they are the best of the bunch, you might say!
RHS We’re all going to be rooting for Joe Massie, he stands quite a strong chance doesn’t he?
DVW Yes, he’s won the RHS Chelsea Young Florist for two years running, plus many other major competitions, so I think he can do it. If he’s successful at Tatton it will be the pinnacle of his career. The opportunities that stem from it are endless, and he’ll become a celebrity within the floristry industry overnight.
RHS So Joe, how are the nerves?
Joe Massie It's coming up fast and I still have a bit of work to do, it’s a very big deal and I’ve been working on it for about six months, but really, I’m so busy at the moment I don’t have time to be nervous. I’ll probably stay pretty chilled until the actual day.
RHS What does the competition involve?
JM There are five tasks. Three of them are kept under wraps. On the day, we find out what we have to do and we all get given the same plant material and containers. We’ll really be flying by the seat of our pants.
RHS What’s the next stage in your path to world domination after Eurofleurs?
JM Sorry to disappoint but I’m going to take a break from competitive floristry for a year or so, because I’ve focussed so much on competitions for the past two years and it has been quite exhausting. I did it as a way to increase my skills and also to grow my reputation.
RHS Your country is depending on you – how confident are you of success?
JM I think it’s good to have a level of confidence but not to be too cocky as there’s a lot of room for mistakes. I don’t know the other florists and it’s good to remember that everyone else who’s competing has won their national heats as well. I tell myself I’m not the most fabulous thing on the planet! I think Russia is going to be hard to beat and Austria has won it the last three times, so they are always ones to watch. Also I’m only 22 and the competition is open to florists up to 25, so others may have that bit more experience than me. We’ll just have to see - it won’t be a walk in the park!