Quirky UK Vegetable Sculpture Contest Brings Trump, Dolly Parton, and a “Cornclave” to Life

Quirky UK Vegetable Sculpture Contest Brings Trump, Dolly Parton, and a “Cornclave” to Life

London’s Brockwell Park recently hosted the annual Lambeth Country Show, a lively two-day event that brought together music, food, livestock competitions, and one of Britain’s most whimsical traditions: the vegetable sculpture contest. This year, the contest’s quirky creativity reached new heights, with edible masterpieces inspired by global pop culture and local politics123.

Among the standout entries were a butternut squash Donald Trump, capturing the former president’s distinctive look and famously tan complexion, and a movie-inspired tableau called “9 to Chive,” featuring “Cauli Parton”—a vegetable rendition of country music icon Dolly Parton. The event also paid tribute to the recent papal election with “Cornclave,” a display of cardinals crafted from maize, artfully referencing both the solemnity of the Vatican’s conclave and the playful spirit of the show412.

The contest’s wit extended beyond international celebrities. Irish rap trio Kneecap was reimagined as a group of potatoes, while Liverpool soccer star Mohamed Salah became “Mo Salad,” and beloved animated duo Wallace and Gromit were fashioned from butternut squash. Local politics got a nod too: actor Mark Rylance, known for his opposition to large events in the park, was humorously depicted as “Mark Rylunch,” with an apple-carved head and satirical signs branding him a NIMBY (not in my backyard) campaigner123.

“Every year, this is what we get so excited about—the vegetable sculptures,” said Country Fair regular Maddy Luxon. “It’s just so unique and witty, and we love the political ones.” Fellow attendee Marek Szandrowski added, “And the puns—the vegetable puns, definitely”123.

The show, which blends rural traditions with urban flair, has become a highlight of London’s summer calendar. While large concerts and festivals in parks have drawn criticism from some residents, the vegetable sculpture contest remains a beloved and unifying feature, celebrated for its humor, artistry, and community spirit123.

This year’s event proved once again that with a little imagination—and a lot of vegetables—anything is possible.

Sources

1. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/quirky-vegetable-sculpture-contest-features-squash-donald-trump-122611982
2. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/donald-trump-london-dolly-parton-mark-rylance-mo-salah-b2765753.html
3. https://www.butlereagle.com/20250610/a-quirky-vegetable-sculpture-contest-features-a-squash-donald-trump-and-a-papal-cornclave/
4. https://www.indy100.com/news/trump-cornclave-vegetable-sculpture-contest
5. http://www.morningsun.net/stories/a-quirky-vegetable-sculpture-contest-features-a-squash-donald-trump-and-a-papal-cornclave,209284
6. https://ground.news/article/a-quirky-vegetable-sculpture-contest-features-a-squash-donald-trump-and-a-papal-cornclave
7. https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/uk-lambeth-country-show-vegetable-sculptures/2025/06/07/id/1214004/
8. https://www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk/competitions/school-garden-competition/
9. https://royalnorfolkshow.co.uk/competitions/school-garden-competition/
10. https://www.flowershow.org.uk/autumn-show/whats-on/incredible-edible