A Chelsea Flower Show Inspired Table
Posted by TEAM WILD BEAUTY
Amy-Beth Ellice is a cookery writer and author of 'Amy's Baking Year'. Amy has her own business designing, styling and catering for events and parties big and small from champagne receptions and cocktail parties to intimate dinner parties.
She also designs bespoke celebration cakes for all occasions, wedding cakes and sweet treats to order.
As we are immersed in the floral joy of Chelsea Flower Show this week, we asked Amy to create a floral inspired dinner tablescape for Rhug Wild Beauty and also took the opportunity to find out more about her career and inspiration.
You became Britain’s youngest published cookery author at the age of 16, publishing your first book ‘Amy’s Baking Year’, Who or what inspired you to start baking at such a young age?
Growing up, the kitchen was the heart of our home and I was always cooking and baking with my mum who is a great cook and who is also very creative. I would bake treats for friends and teachers at school which led to starting my own cake business and then writing a book. My first book, 'Amy’s Baking Year' journeys through the seasons with treats for all occasions, featuring recipes from traditional classics handed down through generations – such as a classic Victoria sponge to my original creations. I am currently working towards doing my second book about entertaining and hosting throughout the seasons.
Seasonality seems to play a key role in your baking - please do tell us more about it.
I am always getting inspiration from the seasons when I am cooking and baking. I love this time of year and the spring produce, it's always exciting to go to the farmers market and see what's there each week as it comes into season, it truly is a highlight of my week. I always try to use seasonal and British ingredients where ever I can when I am cooking and also for the flowers that I use for my flower arrangements.
Where do you get inspiration for your tablescapes?
For my tablescapes, flowers and menus, I look to the changing seasons and nature for inspiration. I like to create an experience for guests when entertaining from everything to the menu and the food I will cook which I'll plan based on what is in season, to the table setting and the music that we will listen to throughout the evening to set the mood and create the perfect atmosphere for when guests arrive.
The inspiration for one of my tablesettings may start with a beautiful tablecloth, antique or vintage glassware or tableware that I love to source, a particular flower I'd like to use or in the case for my table I have created for Rhug Wild Beauty, I was inspired by the colours in the pattern of the china by Herend that I've used which was named after and used by Queen Victoria.
Flowers are always one of my favourite parts of any table setting. To create this arrangement down the centre of the table, I used small vases and bud vases which I filled with flowers form local florists as well as seasonal flowers including bluebells, muscari, lilacs and blossom all from the garden. I will then set the scene with linens, candles to create atmosphere and add personalised, handmade details to the table such hand painted place cards and menus or one of my bespoke hand painted iced biscuits which I regularly create for my clients to use at home for their dinner party tables also. It is these personal touches and details that your guests will take away with them and remember.
If I'm planning a dinner party or table setting for a particular person or celebration, I always find that it's a special touch to use that persons favourite flower or colour on the table and to cook their favourite dish or something that brings back memories such as something from a special trip or event. It is these personal touches and details that your guests will take away with them and remember.
What would be your dream location for a tablescape?
There are a few places on my wishlist, but my favourite settings to create a tablescape are always outdoors in nature. My dream location would be in a lavender field or surrounded by roses in a rose garden on a warm summer evening by candlelight.
Nature seems to be a big influence on your table designs - where does that stem from?
I have always been inspired by the changing seasons ever since I was a child after growing up in the countryside and spending lots of time in the garden and seeing the changing colours throughout the year. I love the idea of bringing the outside inside and ever since I was a child I have always loved picking and arranging flowers from garden so always like to include flowers from the garden in my arrangements or branches and blossom that I forage whenever I am in the countryside as well as flowers that I source from local florists and flower markets. It was the changing seasons that inspired my first cookbook Amy's Baking Year with recipes and ideas for special occasions that take place throughout the year. It is the inspiration in everything I do, from what I cook and when I'm writing and thinking of ideas for recipes, to my table settings.
We like your Rhug Wild Beauty table gifts in your design for us! Which is your favourite Rhug Wild Beauty product?
Seasonality seems to play a key role in your baking - please do tell us more about it.
I am always getting inspiration from the seasons when I am cooking and baking. I love this time of year and the spring produce, it's always exciting to go to the farmers market and see what's there each week as it comes into season, it truly is a highlight of my week. I always try to use seasonal and British ingredients where ever I can when I am cooking and also for the flowers that I use for my flower arrangements.
Where do you get inspiration for your tablescapes?
For my tablescapes, flowers and menus, I look to the changing seasons and nature for inspiration. I like to create an experience for guests when entertaining from everything to the menu and the food I will cook which I'll plan based on what is in season, to the table setting and the music that we will listen to throughout the evening to set the mood and create the perfect atmosphere for when guests arrive.
The inspiration for one of my tablesettings may start with a beautiful tablecloth, antique or vintage glassware or tableware that I love to source, a particular flower I'd like to use or in the case for my table I have created for Rhug Wild Beauty, I was inspired by the colours in the pattern of the china by Herend that I've used which was named after and used by Queen Victoria.
Flowers are always one of my favourite parts of any table setting. To create this arrangement down the centre of the table, I used small vases and bud vases which I filled with flowers form local florists as well as seasonal flowers including bluebells, muscari, lilacs and blossom all from the garden. I will then set the scene with linens, candles to create atmosphere and add personalised, handmade details to the table such hand painted place cards and menus or one of my bespoke hand painted iced biscuits which I regularly create for my clients to use at home for their dinner party tables also. It is these personal touches and details that your guests will take away with them and remember.
If I'm planning a dinner party or table setting for a particular person or celebration, I always find that it's a special touch to use that persons favourite flower or colour on the table and to cook their favourite dish or something that brings back memories such as something from a special trip or event. It is these personal touches and details that your guests will take away with them and remember.
What would be your dream location for a tablescape?
There are a few places on my wishlist, but my favourite settings to create a tablescape are always outdoors in nature. My dream location would be in a lavender field or surrounded by roses in a rose garden on a warm summer evening by candlelight.
Nature seems to be a big influence on your table designs - where does that stem from?
I have always been inspired by the changing seasons ever since I was a child after growing up in the countryside and spending lots of time in the garden and seeing the changing colours throughout the year. I love the idea of bringing the outside inside and ever since I was a child I have always loved picking and arranging flowers from garden so always like to include flowers from the garden in my arrangements or branches and blossom that I forage whenever I am in the countryside as well as flowers that I source from local florists and flower markets. It was the changing seasons that inspired my first cookbook Amy's Baking Year with recipes and ideas for special occasions that take place throughout the year. It is the inspiration in everything I do, from what I cook and when I'm writing and thinking of ideas for recipes, to my table settings.
We like your Rhug Wild Beauty table gifts in your design for us! Which is your favourite Rhug Wild Beauty product?
When I'm setting a table, I always like to include a small table gift for guests to take home with them. The Rhug Wild Beauty minis looked so beautiful on the table and created a real talking point! Last year I attended a Rhug Wild Beauty breakfast event, it was so fascinating to hear about the different ingredients that are foraged from around the estate and used in the products. My favourites are the replenishing mask with Rhug honey which smells delicious and always feels like such a treat to use and the moisturising lip treatment with Rhug beeswax.
Finally, where is your Wild Beauty Escape?
Whenever I feel like I need to reset during the week whenever I can, I love to go for walks in Hyde Park, and also visit the countryside as often as I can at weekends to reset and get inspiration.
Instagram @amybethellice_
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