The Atlanta Botanical Garden hosted its annual pumpkin carving contest in the Skyline Garden Thursday night. Nine carvers from five local businesses took the stage.

Contestants were given 40 minutes to carve their pumpkins, and they used creative materials to get the job done. Chefs Christine Roberts and Katy Watson from Squash Blossom Kitchens glued pasta to their pumpkin, which they turned into a chef. Cristi Rajevac and Valerie Burke from Melanie Turner Interiors used felt, fern leaves and Christmas lights to decorate their hollowed-out pumpkin.

After time was up, audience members cheered for their favorites. Dr. Jonathan Threadgill and Zach Dew’s dragon pumpkin won overwhelmingly. Winners walked home with two season passes to Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

“I feel maybe being a surgeon gave me an unfair advantage,” Threadgill said.