Crowning the Champ!

Given linens and decor items provided by Apres Party Rental, decor items by Platinum Party Rental and tons of luscious flowers by Koehler & Dramm, Bungalow 6 Design and MiMi Design engaged in a head to head competition that resulted in a razor thin winner.

Todd Pinzuti of Bungalow 6 Design did a repeat win with Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry and Chef Asher Miller of 20*21.

Bold colors and design by Bungalow 6 Design captured the visual interest of guests. The added branding element was spot-on for event trends.

Amy Steil and Amy Fuerstenberg of MiMi Design worked with Pazzobello Flowers and Chef Chris Damskey of Chambers Kitchen to create a gorgeous table.

Judges and guests alike repeatedly referred to it as the "Martha Stewart" table. It was a table that blended their high design and organic sensibility and looked as if it should have been in a magazine layout.


Jessica's Cakes applied a classic art "paper quilling" and turned fondant into a "paper quill'd" cake.

Branding an event, sometimes involves using items in a manner different then their intention. After all, HER Energy Drink cans as vases were much more affective than having posters of their logos all over the place.

The Edible Garden was a huge crowd favorite. It took a little while for someone to sneak a bite, but once the first bite, many followed!

Jessica's Cakes beautifully designed and carved mushroom cupcakes matched her Happy Gnome cake perfectly.

Not only did Thomasina contribute her fabulous Thomasina's Cashew Brittle to the Edible Garden, she belted out a song to entertain the guests.

Special thanks to the following sponsors for donating to the VIP Bags: Dick & Jane Letterpress, HER Energy Drink, Platinum Party Rental, Apres Party Rental, Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry, Pazzobello Flowers, Chambers Kitchen, 20*21 and DIVA Glass Slipper.

Thank you to La Vie Photography for the photos and The Digital Arthouse for producing the soon to be available video of The Duel of The Design 2.0.

Judge Lisa Marie Borchert

Lisa Marie Borchert is currently serving as the President of the ISES (International Special Events Society) Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter and was a key contributor to the chapter's back-to-back International Chapter of the Year wins in 2006 and 2007. She is also a member of MPI, Meeting Planners International and FICP, Financial & Insurance Conference Planners.

Career highlights include managing a three-month cross country AIDS bike ride that went from Los Angeles to Atlanta and up the Eastern Seaboard to Boston, being a national nominee for Support Professional of the Year by Event Solutions magazine in '01, working for the Olympic Committee during the ’02 Salt Lake City Games and more recently, being a member of the team to win Allianz's Partnership and Innovation Award for 2006 and again in 2007.

Like a lot of planners she fell into the event industry. Her B.A. is actually in Fashion Design, and she attended college in London and LA. She had a friend in marketing who started working in the industry, called her and said, “I think this job is for you.” She interviewed, got the job as set crew loading trucks, learned the tactical to compliment her creative, and here she is today, planning meetings for Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, part of the 14th largest corporation in the world, and her former client.

Laura Mullen Wins!

I got a message on Facebook from Laura Mullen of Laura Mullen Event Design and she guessed that the trend cake that Jessica's Cakes is making is the Happy Gnome! Unfortunately, Mr. Chubby is too heavy to make it down the runway, but he will be on display at the event.

Congrats Laura for winning two tickets to The Duel of The Design!