Halloween Pumpkin Contest

It is October, and it is the right time to take your knives and loop tools to sculpt a pumpkin.







My blog www.garnishfoodblog.com and the friend's www.howtogarnish.com are having the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest.


How to enter the Halloween contest:

1. Sign up to http://www.howtogarnish.com

2. Submit a photo of your pumpkin carving at the Halloween contest page http://www.howtogarnish.com/contests

3. Share the link to the contest's photo at your Facebook/homepage/other social network and ask your friends and fans to vote for you.

The winner will be awarded with a PDF fruit carving tutorial from Selena Ze Arteest, Garnishfoodblog.

The contest date October 17 - November 03, 2016

No matter what level you are. Everyone is very welcome to take part and win an award. Likes from your friends and fans will bring you success.

Once signed up to Howtogarnish, you are able to take a part in the next online competitions, and be awarded with money cash or a prize.

Enjoy the Halloween-2016 to the fullest!

Read more...

Carving Contest's Result and Winners

Dear friends,

The Contest is over and I am happy to announce the result. It was a hot competition. We met friend's support. Lot of efforts were applied to win. 

I thank ALL OF YOU who participated and who voted! 

At the end of this article you will find statistic data of the contest poll. 

Please meet the top winners!

1st place

Fall Flower Bouquet by Durdana, Bangladesh

Wonder Tree and a nice leaflet with WT decoration ideas is flying to Bangladesh.

I wish the Wonder Tree will bring joy and astonishment to Durdana's family. Thanks for all!

2nd place

Family Day by Rodolfo, Philippines

Watermelon plate is flying to my Philippino friend. 

I hope it will serve well for fruit carving job of Rodolfo. My congratulations!

3rd place

Tailed Beast of Fire by Jesse, Philippines

The set of 6 carving books is flying to Philippines.

Jesse, I hope you will find them advantageous. 

Looking forward to seeing your new amazing carving!

The Special Awards Winners

The Special Awards are kindly granted by a famous online shop TempleofThai.com. Many times my blogging activity has been supported by TempleofThai Team. Thanks for being with me!

The Special Awards Winners have been picked on by a guest judge, a showman and a creative person, Samsam Bubbleman. You may be wonder to get known that Sam can 'sculpt' with soap bubbles!

The Most Amazing Work

The Spirit Of Freedom, by Roger, USA

Roger is given with a set of carving knives

The Beginner's Award

Rock Melon Centerpiece, by Amy, Singapore

Amy is given with the Fruit Carving How-To DVD

And... TADAAM

We couldn't stop rewarding the participants:)))

The Standing Out Work

Shoes, by Homa, Iran

The Shoes has got lot of feedback as unusual and different work. 

It was also featured by Sam as outstanding work.

Homa is given with a present from me! :) 

My congratulations to all the participants! In the end I'd like to share a message form Jesse about the Contest:

I am happy that I joined that competition  and see my effort was supported by so many people. This event inspires me alot to work hard and practice more in culinary carving. Thanks a lot Selena, my dream is to join the actual international carving competion and meet the best people there and you also.. this event given me one step forward to pursue and continue with this.. a big thanks to you and your team..

The statistic data of the Poll

The poll used anti-cheat algorithms. The system calculated based on geographic location, client info and IP address. Poll service provider is http://www.easypolls.net

The Contest Voting page have had 24994 views in the period from October 25, 2012 to November 10, 2012.

5031 people have voted.

5338 votes were made (multiply selectons were allowed).

Blog views by Top 20 countries (Oct 25, 2012 - Nov 10, 2012):

Poll results (a screenshot)

Read more...

Contest's Poll is ending on November 10, 2012

Dear friends,

The Carving Contest is coming to the end. The poll will be closed on November 10, in midnight Alaska (USA) time, 24-00 GMT -9. 

I thank all the friends and visitors for giving support to the Contest's participants! Great job has been done. We are having leaders and they are yet competitive. It is very intriguing. Don't miss the fight and help our participants to win the main prizes, they are 

a Wonder Tree 

a Watermelon plate 

and a set of unique 'How-To' books on carving art.  

The other surprising things will be the Special Awards prepared by TempleofThai.com, the famous online shop of tools, knives, books and DVDs on fruit and vegetable carving art. 

Temple of Thai accepts different payment methods and sends the products worldwide. If you need a good carving knife you are welcome to them! Two of our participants will be nominated for one of the following award and will be given with the wonderful prize from Templeof Thai as

The Most Amazing Work – A set of carving knives

The Beginner’s Award – “FruitCarving How To” DVD

The Special Award Winners will be choosen by my Facebook friend, Mr.SamSam Bubbleman. 

Frankly speaking, a carving artist has the only judge, it is a consumer. And our best award is joy of our family, friends and clients. SamSam Bubbleman will not judge you, and no marks and points will be count. Sam's job is to amaze people and make them happy :) I am glad to have such a cheerful and kind 'judge'. 

Check up the Contest's Voting Page 

and support your favorite artist by your vote.

Read more...

Urgent and Important Note About the Contest Poll

Dear friends,

I recieved messages about the Contest Poll fault, that does not count votes. Indeed, the Google Poll service works incorrectly. It sounds like a Halloween nightmare! I have changed the poll service and restarted the Contest Poll. I am sorry if you voted, but your vote didn't count. Please visit the page back and vote again. 

The Contest Poll is prolonged to November 10, 2012. 

I am so sorry for the mess. Hope you understand, and the situation didn't hurt you.

Thanks and hugs!!

Read more...

The Fall Carving Contest Stage 2 Voting

Carving Contest is over. 
Check up the Contest results and winners

Dear friends,

The Online Carving Contest Stage 2 is on air. Find the Contest entries below and use the side bar poll to vote for your favorite carving work. Invite your friends to support the participants by voting for them. Please UPDATE THE PAGE after voting to SEE THE RESULTS.  The poll ends on November 10, 2012.

According to the poll results the top 3 winners will be given with the valuable prizes:

The 1^st place – Wonder Tree

The 2^nd place – Watermelon plate

The 3^rd place – A set of carving books.

Besides the top prizes, there are special awards from TempleofThai.com.

Temple of Thai is an online shop for Thai food, Asian kitchenware and fruit carving books, tools and DVDs since 1999. They accept different payment methods and ship worldwide from their location in Los Angeles, California, USA. 

Webpage http://www.templeofthai.com

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/fruitvegetablecarving

The Special Awards from Temple of Thai:

The Most Amazing Work – A set of carving knives

The Beginner’s Award – “FruitCarving How To” DVD

To determine the special award winners I asked for a help of a special man SamSam Bubbleman!

Sam is a British artist making a Grand Soap Bubble Show in London, UK. Sam performs Bubble Shows at private parties, weddings, kids party, science show and corporate events. He does the show for television, films, videos and celebrities. Samsam Bubbleman has bubbled the Olympics 2012 in London.

Webpage http://www.bubbleinc.co.uk/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/samsambubbleman

I asked Sam a few 'carving' questions. This is what he said:

Q.: Sam, I know that you do Bubble shows at the different events which are weddings, corporate, birthday and kid's parties. Have you seen fruit carving displays at the events? What they were like? 

A.: I don't remember seeing fruit carvings at any events, although I remember reading about a performance made by some musicians who made their instruments out of fruit and vegetables (like a flute carrot!), played a concert, and at the end of the concert, the musicians would cook their vegetables into a soup and all the audience could eat it! I didn't get a chance to see it, but it sounded like a remarkable performance!

Q.: I wonder if there fruit carvings were displayed at the Olympics 2012 events?

A.: The Olympics were everywhere! There were celebrations and events organised all over the country. We were involved in a couple of these - one was to do with the Olympic Torch, and the other was the Opening Ceremony itself. Regrettably I saw no fruit or vegetable carving at either of these.

Q.: Have you ever tried yourself in a fruit and vegetable carving art? Simple food and drink garnishes? Fun with food?
If yes can you share your favorite one?

A.: I think the favourite food garnish I have ever done was impaling pieces of vegetarian hot dog sausages with pieces of spaghetti and then cooking them together for my kids. They love them! ALso I arrange their food on their plate into faces sometimes to help them find fun in their food. I used to like peeling oranges into faces/shapes.

Vote for your favorite work at the side bar poll:
Click the photo for close look


1. Vade Retro, by Matilde, Spain

Vade Retro

2. Watermelon Basket with Rose, by Sayani, Malaysia

Watermelon Basket with Rose

3. Sweet Lime Bouquet, by Pradnya, India

Sweet Lime Bouquet

4. Rock Melon Centerpiece, by Amila, Singapore

Rock Melon Centerpiece

5. The Spirit of Freedom, by Roger, USA

The Spirit of Freedom

6. Art Fusion, by Elio, Italy

Art Fusion

7. Spring Color, by Huynh Van Hoa, Viet Nam

Spring Color

8. Fall Flower Bouquet, by Durdana, Bangladesh

Fall Flower Bouquet

9. Rose, by Boonmee, USA

Rose

10. Fruit Decoration, by Maja, Serbia

Fruit Decoration

11. Chinese Sign, by Tony, Mexico

Chinese Sign

12. KingAmato Watermelon, by Gianni, Italy

KingAmato

13. Alfredo Mukimono, by Alfredo, Mexico

Alfredo Mukimono

14. Peacock, by Snezana, Macedonia

Peacock

15. Tailed Beast of Fire, by Jesse, Philippines

Tailed Beast of Fire

16. Abstract Watermelon, by Tarun, India

Abstract Watermelon

17. Shoes, by Homa, Iran

Shoes

18. Honeydew Melon, by Ilda, Brazil

Honeydew Melon

19. Pumpkin, by Branka, Croatia

Pumpkin

20. Wedding Watermelon, by Edibleglamour, Canada

Wedding Watermelon

21. Family Day, by Rodolfo, Philippines

Family Day

Read more...

The Fall Fruit and Vegetable Carving Contest 2012. Send a Photo and Win!

Dear friends,

This year you supported me a lot in different contests like Samsung Global Blogger and Watermelon Carving Contest 2012 (I didn't go to London, but my Football Watermelon won the second place and 50$ Amazon gift card). This time I am inviting You to take a part in my new project, The Fall Fruit and Vegetable Carving Contest 2012! Lovely prizes are awaiting for 3 top winners.

The Fall Fruit and Vegetable Carving Contest 2012

October 08, 2012 to November 07, 2012

The Voting Poll is on air! Please vote for your favorite work

Who can participate:

Anyone who loves fruit carving art and vegetable crafting, beginners, professionals, amateurs. Does not matter if you have a blog or not. While having social media account (Facebook, Twitter etc) helps you to collect more votes.

What craft accepted to the Contest:

Autumn is a rich season for vegetable, fruits and holidays. Choose the fall (autumn) vegetables as pumpkin, squash, vegetable marrow, the fruits as watermelon and melon as the main material for your work. Your   carving/crafting  work can be any theme and style (Halloween, Thanksgiven, a fall flowers bouquet in a pumpkin vase, something funny, cute or any).

Rules:

1. The contest has two stages:

Otober 08, 2012 up to October 24, 2012 - collecting photo with carving works from participants

October 25, 2012 up to November 07, 2012 - voting, the poll and the photos will be placed at http://garnishfood.blogspot.com

2. Within the period from October 8 to October 24, 2012 send one photo of your carving/crafting work to my e-mail selen15367@yahoo.com with "The Fall Carving Contest 2012" in the mail subject. I accept one photo with one work from one participant.
Provide your full name,
country,
the name of your carving work,
your blog/webpage (if you have)
Facebook page (if you have)

3. Voting period from October 25 up to November 07, 2012. All recieved works will be posted at my blog http://garnishfood.blogspot.com with a poll in side bar. 

Invite your friends to vote for your carving work to win. Share the poll page at Facebook, Twitter, your blog and other social media to collect more votes.

4. November 08, 2012 I will announce the winners at my blog. The winners will be informed by e-mail and will be asked for a postal address for shiping the prizes. All shipping cost on my own.

You have a chance to win the special prizes as the following:

the 1st palce Wonder Tree (a brand new item)

Wonder Tree (Cuccagna) is a plastic holder for nice food presentation. You can decorate it with fruits, candy or snack. See more pictures of the Wonder Tree here.

the 2nd place Watermelon plate (a brand new item)

A special watermelon plate with plastic pins provides a secure fruit installation.  Usefull for watermelon display transportation. Perfect for havy displays and fruit birds. See Fruit Bouquet for more ideas.

the 3rd place A set of carving books (brand new items)

 
 A set of unique carving books (by a Russian carving teacher) with nice and undestandable pictures on vegetable carving (flowers and bouquets).

Looking forward to your carving works and vegetable crafts!

The Voting Poll is on air! Please vote for your favorite work

Read more...

Football Watermelon Carving

A fun watermelon carving made at weekends.  A soccer ball (or a football) in a watermelon was my dream over years. Some times ago I tryed this idea in apple and failed. That time I got confused with the cells and broken the design. 

If you are going to carve a football watwermelon one day mind the fiollowing tips:

• watermelon shape to be ideally round
• a football consists of 32 cells. 12 black cells and 20 white cells.
• black cells are pentagans, white cells are hexagons.

Footbal watermelon and apples

Edible prize. This could be a sport theme fruit arrangement

I couldn't resist making a few photos with the football/soccer watermelon. Posing with it was enjoyable :)


I sent the Football Watermelon to the Watermelon Carving Contest 2012 (vote here).

Like this watermelon project? Check up other wateremlon carvings of mine.

Read more...

Update on The Samsung Global Blogger Contest

I have good news!
I passed through the Samsung Global Blogger audition contest to the second round!
First of all I thank all my readers and friends for watching and supporting me in this activity.

Now I am on my second task with making a report about a sport event in my hometown.
You can watch my video report here at the SGB page

http:// samsungglobalblogger .r u.msn.com/videos/3867

The video will be judged by a team of the independent judges, but you can yet help them to pick up a best one by supporting the participant :))

A video report should meet the following criteria:
i. News sense - have they told the story well and effectively? Have they aimed it at the right audience? Have they taken an interesting angle?
ii. Good presenting skills - exhibiting a passion for the subject matter, confidence and energy in front of the camera and a sense of what looks good on camera
iii. The skill exhibited in producing the video, including elements such as location choice, camera skills, etc.
iv. Editing skills - length of video, pace, use of voiceover, etc.

After watching my video I understood that I MUST go to London to improve my accent to sound more british :)

I would be happy to get your opinion about the video. Critic is welcome as well. 

THANK YOU!!!

Read more...

How To Vote At My Conest Video Page

My friends ask me how to vote for my contest video at Zooppa page.
There is a screenshot of the video page.

You need to do the following things:
1. Go to http:// zooppa. com/ads/samsung-global-blogger-on-zooppa/videos/garnishfood-blogger-about-the-olympics to watch the video.
2.There is a bar on the right of the video (I marked it with a red arrow on the screenshot). Click that and log in with a password or your Facebook account.
3. When you are logged in you will see a rating bar on the right of the video. Choose 5 and you are done! :)

Your comments are encouraging and so important to me!

Thanks for your support!

Read more...

Make You Food Sportish While The Olympics 2012 In London

Dear friends!

I was invited to participate in Samsung Global Blogger contest as a russian blogger. They are looking for a passionate blogger to report on the Olympics 2012 in his own unique manner.

I made a short video in my garnishfood style :) You can watch it at the contest page. If I win and go to London I will make reports on food, people, the games and other things that my camera will be focused on.
 I have a chance to meet you, my Facebook&blogger friends from Britain in real for talking and carving!
If you fancy the idea please watch my video and vote me!
In order to vote the video you are requested to sign up.

Read more...