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The Bay Home Show is back at Mercury Arena Baypark on October 16-18, bringing more than 200 exhibitors together under one roof for three days of home inspiration, product discoveries and exclusive show deals.

Visitors can enter to win their dream holiday – Helloworld Travel The Lakes and Helloworld Travel Mount Maunganui are joining forces with the show to offer a $10,000 travel voucher prize.

Every general admission visitor can enter the draw, with different daily travel deals also available from Helloworld Travel at stand 424.

“Your chances of winning first division Lotto are about one in 38.3 million,” says Bay Events managing director Dana McCurdy.

“By comparison, your odds of winning our $10,000 holiday prize are around one in 4000, so definitely fill in your entry form when you’re at the show!”

There’s plenty more happening across the weekend, including live cooking demonstrations in the Live Cooking Kitchen, sponsored by local business Kaimai Eggs and featuring chefs from around Tauranga.

At 11.30am each day, Italian chef Stefano Raimondi from Autentico and Cuore di Gelato is making spinach and ricotta ravioli with burnt butter and sage.

“There’s something wonderfully comforting about making fresh ravioli, filled with creamy ricotta and vibrant spinach,” McCurdy said.

“Finished with nutty burnt butter and fragrant sage, this is simple Italian cooking at its most delicious!”

Chef James Broad from Te Pahi Cook School is featuring seasonal produce at 1pm daily.

With spring bringing fresh, vibrant flavours and some of the season’s best produce, Bay Home Show-goers will be able to celebrate the arrival of peas and asparagus with simple, colourful salads that let these crisp and sweet ingredients shine.

Completing the round-up at 2.30pm each day is Uruguayan chef Nico Pagani from El Jefe Meats, bringing a little Mexican-inspired flavour to the kitchen with spicy, crispy smashed chorizo tacos and golden, cheesy quesadillas.

Packed with bold flavours and plenty of texture, these are easy, crowd-pleasing dishes made for sharing.

Families are catered for with free children’s entertainment on October 17-18, including a bouncy castle, rock painting and balloon twisting.

For McCurdy, it’s the combination of exhibitors, entertainment and the opportunity to connect with businesses in person that makes the home show buzz.

“There’s a really strong mix of exhibitors this year, and that’s what makes a home show so enjoyable,” McCurdy said.

“You see products up close, talk directly to the people who supply them and take advantage of deals that are exclusive to the show. Add the cooking demonstrations, food trucks and kids’ entertainment and you’ve got a great weekend outing.”

The Bay Home Show is organised by a local family business, something McCurdy said gives the event a different perspective.

“We’re part of this community ourselves, so we understand what’s happening here and what matters to local businesses,” she said. “That local connection is something we really value. We get to see the relationships that develop between exhibitors and customers, and the contribution the show makes to the wider local economy.”

The event itself has changed considerably during its 14-year history, reflecting the rapid evolution of home products and technology. Traditional furnishings and decor have been joined by smart home systems, robotic appliances and an ever-growing range of products designed to make life easier.

“It’s been fascinating watching the home industry change,” McCurdy said. “The products people are looking for today are very different from what you would have seen when the show began.

“But one thing hasn’t changed – when you’re making a significant purchase for your home, there’s real value in being able to meet the person behind the product, ask questions and build some trust.

“That face-to-face connection is really at the heart of what the Bay Home Show is about.”