I first became interested in competitive tablescaping when I was merely a visitor to the LA County Fair in 2012. Sure, the tables themselves were impressive (overly ornate tables set according to an often ridiculous and insanely specific theme, with points assigned for creativity, presentation, and correctness) but what really got me were the judges’ comments on display for all to read. They were just so unnecessarily harsh and passive-aggressive. One that sticks with me is “A dessert spoon would have been nice.”
Six years later, in 2018, it occurred to me that I might try to actually enter the competition myself. I decided to go for comedy. My theme was “Helen’s Birthday Party.” Helen was a lonely cat lady. The table was set for four guests; one was Helen, three were cats. One of the cat placecards read “Muffy 2,” and there was an urn on the table with a collar reading “Muffy.” I tied for last, and the judges’ comments included “Too many cat tea lights.” (Side note: I got proposed to during this tablescaping set-up, because my husband knew that when I was trying to correctly place forks, I’d be distracted enough for him to surprise me — so there is an urn for an imaginary cat in all our engagement photos. But that’s a story for another time.)
I competed again in 2019 (again, tied for last), then there were two years off for Covid. And when the fair came back in 2022, I thought maybe I should go for it sincerely this time. I did a Baby Shower themed table complete with a paper mache stork, and was named 7th out of 20ish competitors. The judges’ comments included “Stork well done” which is honestly one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.
Now knowing I actually could compete if I played by their rules instead of mine, in 2023 I did a “Dinner in Ancient Greece” themed table. This time I came in 6th. Bonnie Overman, the Queen of Tablescaping herself, claims that she loved the table, which is honestly one of the other nicest things that has ever been said to me. (Shoutout to master carpenter Ben Deeb for helping design the wood piece that I painted the “view” on!)
Which brings us to 2024’s competition. I decided I needed a big conceptual idea if I was going to advance in the rankings, as well as a fancy tablecloth. Big conceptual idea: a book that is spilling out onto the table. Fancy tablecloth: help from the woman who altered my wedding dress. And the Inspiration: a goose I happened to see at Joann’s Fabric and Crafts. The Theme: A Meal with Mother Goose.
Here’s the table, as well as some inserts of details. Again, shoutout to Ben Deeb for carpentry help with the book!
Humpty Dumpty sitting on top of the book:
The menu (the menu determines what silverware etc you place on the table, and is where the correctness score comes from), plus one of the three blind mice on the table:
Cow Jumps Over the Moon napkin rings:
Mother Goose centerpiece (she is now the paper mache partner of my paper mache stork from 2022’s table):
Mother Goose walked right out of the book!
And folks, this table actually won a ribbon: third place!!!
If you are at all interested in tablescaping, I cannot recommend the documentary “SET!” highly enough. It’s like watching a Christopher Guest movie, except it’s REAL, and features the Queen Bonnie Overman.
