Some societies do not have any Court of Etiquette (table) classes at their shows. An easy class to begin with is to have a class for functional informal trays. The arranger only has to transport a minimum of dishes and accessories and the exhibit is easy to display. Below is how the class could be written in the schedule.
Table Settings
Eligible for ARS Court of Etiquette Award
| Class ? | A Creative Title to go with your Theme! A functional informal beverage tray for two with a decorative design to be staged on a table top in an area no larger than 36" wide x 32" deep. No flatware is allowed. |
If you print the following information in you local newsletter, you should have lots of entries!
A functional table is set for the service of food, minus flatware. There are three types of Functional Tables. Two types that are similar are formal and semiformal functional tables and the third type is Informal. Informal may include trays, luncheon, patio, picnic, buffet - just about any type of dining or beverage service other than formal or semiformal. The difference between formal and semiformal is that professional servers are needed for formal tables/occasions. Schedules are never written requesting a functional formal table. There are also Exhibition Tables, which is a totally non-practical but artistic display of elements suggestive of serving a meal.
Trays have become very popular with our lifestyles. They offer portability and convenience for eating and drinking. The trays themselves should be stable and not easily overturned. All trays are to be carried, everything on the tray must be chosen and placed in such a way that the essential stability is assured. This requirement for stability also includes any flower arrangement that is to be placed on the tray. Think of a tray as being a "table-on-the-move".
From a Judge's point of view, I am trying describe what we are evaluating. There needs to be a tray placed on the table top that is smaller than 36"x32". On the tray should be components that suggest it is a beverage tray. A decorative rose arrangement must be on the tray. Remember, as always, roses should be the dominant plant material. It's a Rose Show! A beverage tray for two implies that there should be two glasses. Components should be well proportioned to the limited space, and all should be in scale with each other. The components could be glasses, bottle of wine, wine coaster, decanter, cocktail napkins, hors d'oeuvre serving pieces or cocktail plates - anything you think would be appropriate for a beverage tray. By using colored glasses vs. clear, paper vs. cloth napkins, etc, you are creating a feeling with your tray. Do not forget your decorative design using roses, is the most important component. Your selection and use of the component is how you interpret the class title. Avoid having the overall setting look cluttered, so only essential items should be included. All must be stable, including the decorative design, since the tray has to be carried. Generally, the decorative design should be less that one-third of the entire tray area. The compatibility of color and texture to produce an overall effect of harmony is important. Since the total area of a tray is small, all components will be in very close proximity to each other. Do not get carried away with components, more is not better!
You all have beverage trays at home - let's see what you can do with it. Table
classes are fun, easy and enjoyable classes to enter. The American Rose Society
Award for Table Classes is the Court of Etiquette Certificate. If there are
any questions, please have the exhibitor contact your arrangement consultant
or contact me.
