"Table ART" table setting competition

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Hall 7, DEHOGA exhibition stand

Setting tables and shaping the future

The VSR (Verband der Servicefachkräfte, Restaurant- und Hotelmeister e. V.), an association for service, restaurant and hotel professionals, is inviting creative amateurs, professionals and up-and-coming designers to participate in the INTERGASTRA 2026 competition “Table Art – Tables of Tomorrow” and present their vision of tomorrow’s tableware and dining culture.

The theme of the competition is “Serving the future” and organisers are looking for creative concepts that demonstrate how sustainability, brand aesthetics and innovative thinking will shape the table culture of tomorrow.
The jury will be looking for answers to questions such as:

  • What does sustainable dining design look like? 
  • What role does table design play in brand experience?
  • How can a table combine tradition and digital innovation?
  • How can we evoke emotion in table culture?

 

Important dates 

  • 15 January 2026

  • Deadline for registrations

  • 16 January 2026
  • Announcement of participants
  • 07–11 February 2026
  • Presentation at INTERGASTRA

Schedule at INTERGASTRA:

SATURDAY:

from 8 am:

  • Setup (tables remain setup during the entire time of the trade fair)
  • Delivery of materials by participants and setup of work spaces

9.30 am:

  • Deadline for completion of preparations in the trade fair hall

10.00  – 11.30 am:

  • Participants, wearing their professional uniforms, will set the tables under the watchful eye of the jury and trade fair visitors
  • The final table display will be assessed by a jury of experts and scored on the basis of its design and professionalism
  • Decorative elements will be assembled and arranged on site (a work table will be provided) 

from 11.30 am:

  • 2-minute presentation of the tables by the respective teams before the jury

up to 2 pm:

  • Further completion and assessment of tables according to objective criteria
  • The name of the business or school may only be displayed on or near the table after the jury has carried out their assessment
  • The names of the businesses will be known only to the competition organiser until after the results have been announced

WEDNESDAY:

from 3 pm:

  • Prizegiving ceremony (please arrive in good time)
  • The table with the highest score from the jury and the table with the most points from the visitors will be crowned the winners
  • There will also be a special surprise award presented
  • All participating businesses and their employees who took part will receive a certificate
  • Participants from companies/schools will be announced by name during the prizegiving ceremony

around 4 pm:

  • Dismantling