A celebration of flavours and tradition at The Stables
For the second year Wildwon teamed up with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW to produce the 2014 President's Medal
“The President’s Medal recognises producers that create the highest quality products using sustainable practices, which are crucial to the future of Australian agriculture.”
Photo by Luisa Brimble
The President's Medal is a celebration of flavours, tradition, heritage and sustainability. Reaching its 9th anniversary in 2014, the gala dinner celebrates the best of the best from over 5000 entries in the Sydney Royal Wine, Dairy and Fine Food competition. The award is the only one of its kind in Australia where producers are judged not only on their product quality but on their financial, social and environmental performance.
Six finalists were considered the top in the country and Wildwon was engaged to celebrate and profile the producers and their stories through 'sustainable styling' at the awards night.
THE IDEA
The inspiration on how to bring to life the theme Stories & Tradition came from a business trip to South Australia. A walk inside Adelaide Central Market, the perfumes, the buzz, the colours, the people. The decision was made: we would recreate an indoor market and tell the stories of the 6 best produces of Australia through the most traditional way to display and sell food.
Adelaide Central Market
THE PRODUCTION
In order to deliver such an important project we knew we had to team up with like minded people who are passionate about being not only the best in the world but the best for the world. That's how we bumped into Timbermill and it was love at first sight. Timbermill use recycled timber to create custom-made pieces of furniture. They offer a versatile and unique range of rental collection and Sally and Tom, the minds behind Timbermill, are highly capable and sophisticated when it comes to styling and building beautiful timber structures.
Photo by Louisa Brimble
Throughout the process we had the opportunity to be directly in contact with the producers and to hear their stories. They loaned us tools of their trades and props to make the installations authentic to the stories of the producers.
THE VENUE
The Stables is a unique, heritage stable complex that was recently renovated for the occasion. It was home to R.M. Williams horse team as well as horse drawn vehicles and equipment essential to life in the outback of Australia.
THE STYLING
The installations of the six finalists were placed downstairs. The guests had to literally explore the space to find out what was happening in each corner. The custom-made market stalls were hiding inside the stables, offering a banquet of colours, fresh products and lights. In the meantime at the back of the room, the visible kitchen was releasing perfumes and aromas and a chef was sautéing responsibly caught prawns in the centre of the space.
With the help of Hanako Flower Design and Timbermill we created 2 fabulous floral chandeliers from wagon wheels that welcomed guests as they approached the dining area, and dressed the space with luscious table centrepieces with seasonal native local foliage, flowers and fruits.
Finally, we redistributed the flowers and decorations to a local nursing home - Columbia Aged Care Services in Strathfield. The residents and staff really loved having some colour to brighten up their space after a few weeks of rainy days.
Benedetta with staff at Columbia Aged Care Services
Again it was a fantastic opportunity for Wildwon to celebrate sustainability, heritage and traditions and to meet new talented and like-minded professionals. Thank you to everyone involved, we are already looking forward to President's Medal 2015.