Master pumpkin carver Scott Cully, who has regaled the world with his artistic designs, recently “wowed” residents at the Royal Oaks LifeCare Community in Sun City with his pumpkin-carving skills. Cully has appeared on numerous television shows including the former Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Today Show. He even carved a Jack O’ Lantern for Vice President Al and Tipper Gore at their vice president’s mansion in Washington, D.C. in 1999.

The Royal Oaks’ event was sponsored by the senior community's Food Service Group under the leadership of Chris Dressel, director of food services, Leonard Longo, culinary support staff, and executive chef Francelle Mata.

Cully was invited to Royal Oaks by Longo, a lifelong friend. The two grew up in Hartford, CT and were in Boy Scouts together. Longo has watched his friend’s career blossom from Cully’s family farm in Connecticut to becoming a world-renowned master carver that included trips to the Republic of Georgia, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand and South Africa.

Cully held the Guinness Book of World Record for carving the world’s largest pumpkins four times in 12 years. In 2010, he held the world record for carving a pumpkin that weighed 1,810 pounds; but his best was a 2,242-pound pumpkin that he carved in Ludwigsburg, Germany in 2011.

The pumpkins the master carver used for the Royal Oaks demonstration were provided by the company’s food service group, and weighed over 100 pounds each.

During the demonstration, Cully first leveled the pumpkin on a table with wood blocks. He then stepped back and examined the pumpkin’s lines and contours. Using multiple tools that included saws, giant spoons, and tiny knives, he made his first cut.

“The pumpkin speaks to me,” he explained as the design began to evolve.

Cully spent two days at Royal Oaks first demonstrating his artistry to residents who live in the communities Friendship, then at the Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities. The next day he helped the residents celebrate Oktoberfest, which included German food, beer and lots of pumpkin carving.

“Scott is the same incredible man who began his career in 1988 and who has evolved into this master carver entertaining the world,” Longo said. “I am proud to call him my friend.”

“Scott was a joy to watch, and his designs were amazing,” Aventur CEO Gretchen Cobb said. “I remember carving pumpkins as a kid at my parents’ home, but nothing like that. The designs he created were incredible. And our food service staff here at Royal Oaks is amazing because of all the fun projects they bring to us.”

Aventur is the parent company of Royal Oaks.