LAS VEGAS – A service buffet featuring Swiss pearwood, walnut burl and tulipwood veneers accented with a ribbon of Nigerian satinwood was chosen as the top entry in the third annual Veneer Tech Craftsman Challenge competition, announced during the AWFS  Fair.

Paul Schurch of Schurch Woodwork, Santa Barbara, CA, was awarded the $5,000 grand prize for excellence in woodwork featuring natural veneer and wood products application, plus an additional $1,000 for early contest entry.

The Craftsman’s Challenge also rewards the industry distribution process and encourages woodwork education. Certainly Wood of East Aurora, NY, distributor of Schurch Woodwork, received a cash award of $3,000; Greg Engle, distributor salesman, received $2,000; and Jake Grieve of David Douglas High School in Portland, OR, a WoodLINKS USA participating school, received a $1,000 scholarship check for his student entry, an Art Deco cabinet.

This year’s contest drew 274 entries in six categories. In addition to the six category winners, the judges selected 34 entrants for honorable mention.

All entries can be viewed on the Veneer Tech’s Web site: www.veneertech.com.