Derek Woodruff, owner of the Floral Underground and Fleur Couture Cabaret in Traverse City, won first runner-up at the 47th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition last weekend in Marco Island, Fla.

The competition is the floral industry's longest running, live, national annual floral design competition. The 25 contestants included winners of state and regional contests and designers of the year.

The competition is similar to Food Network's Iron Chef. Contestants had two hours, the same assortment of flowers and supplies and a surprise challenge theme, "Studio 54 Revisited." All had to create three floral designs:

"Dancing Queen" – a bouquet for the female winner of the coveted Disco Competition 
"Let's Dance the … Last Dance Tonight" – a memorial design piece for a celebration of life for Studio 54's oldest patron
"Shake It, Shake It … Show 'Em How We Do It Now" – a floral jewelry piece to be worn on the upper arm of the Disco Queen

Woodruff's designs collectively scored the second highest overall. He also received second place recognition for his "Last Dance" piece and third place for his "Dancing Queen" bouquet. He received $500, an award plaque and special recognition at the Society of American Florists 130th Annual Convention.