Dankotuwa Porcelain revives "Table Top Show"

Dankotuwa Porcelain which has always been in the forefront of promoting elegant table arrangements and dining etiquette, has revived its Table Top Show after a lapse of six years. Dankotuwa Porcelain first introduced the Table Top Show concept to Sri Lanka in 1990 to promote interest in fine dining, good table arrangements, and the use of good quality table top accessories such as glassware and cutlery to enhance the dining experience. Dankotuwa was a relatively unknown company in 1990 and the first Table Top show in 1990 created a huge wave of interest in table top arrangements. Subsequently the Show was enlarged to include a competition for the best table top arrangement along with a host of other events such as, advice on table arrangements, instructions on table etiquette, porcelain painting etc.

With the resurgence of economic activity in the country and the emerging interest in adopting a more sophisticated lifestyle, elegant arrangements and multicourse dining is becoming popular. Buffet dinners on plain white porcelain provided by caterers are reducing in popularity.

The more sophisticated hosts wish to have smaller groups with elegantly arranged tables. "With DANKOTUWA being the sought after tableware provider in the past few months and Sri Lankans becoming more interested in high quality porcelain, and well-arranged tables we decided to revive our Table Top Show" says Sunil G Wijesinha, adding further that until August 2010 the Company was in search of a new investor and with the investment by Environmental Resources Investments PLC (ERI) coming in September 2010, the Company is investing in more such activities now.

This year the Show will be open to the public on 27 March 2012 at the Galadari Hotel. It will feature the arrangements of the ten finalists and other products of Dankotuwa for the domestic market. Applications are now being called for the table top arrangement competition and will close on 22nd February. Application forms are available at all Dankotuwa showrooms and can also be downloaded from the DANKOTUWA website www.dankotuwa.com. Applicants would need to send three colour photographs of recent table arrangements he or she has done.

The initial review will be based on attractiveness and practicability of the arrangements. The products used for the arrangements appearing in the photographs need not be DANKOTUWA products but should be of porcelain. On 23rd February the results of the preliminary round will be announced and the short listed applicants for the second round will be notified.

The second round will be held around the 4th of March where the shortlisted applicants will be given an opportunity to arrange a display of their own within two hours. Tables will be provided but they have to bring their own porcelain sets, floral arrangements, table linen etc., and set up an arrangement on the spot. They could bring another two friends or two family members to assist them. The judging will be done thereafter and about ten finalists will be announced.

The evaluation will be based on the attractiveness and innovativeness of the arrangement with correct colour co-ordination, technically correct placement of cutlery and glassware, practicality of the arrangement and suitability for entertaining. Applicants are free to design their own table cloths, napkins, napkin rings, placement cards etc. The arrangement could be under any theme such as a birthday dinner, wedding dinner, anniversary dinner, or a formal breakfast etc.

The ten finalists would be provided a DANKOTUWA PORCELAIN set by the 10th of March, which would give them time to prepare matching table linen etc., and would be given three hours on 26th March to set up the final arrangements at the Galadari Hotel. The final evaluation by the panel of judges will take place thereafter and the award ceremony will take place that evening.