Thousands of people enjoyed everything from high-stakes culinary competitions to interior design inspiration at The Great Kiwi Home & Living Show over the weekend.
The show, a partnership between Dunedin Venues Management Ltd and the Otago Daily Times, attracted about 6000 people to Forsyth Barr Stadium, in Dunedin.
DVML chief executive Terry Davies said he was thrilled with the success of the event, now in its third year, due in no small part to the introduction of cooking competitions.
"The show keeps getting better every year and the introduction of the enhanced programme with Kiwi Kids Can Cook and Farm to Fork Chef Challenge, as well as other cooking competitions, has been brilliant."
"The kids went amazingly."
Columba College’s Mia North won the 8 and under category, cooking pasta with parmesan chips.
Scarlett Ingram, of Mornington School, cleaned up in the 9-11 category with her beef chop suey.
Competition also ran hot in The Farm to Fork Chef Challenge, where four top chefs battled it out, with local Otago Polytechnic students serving as assistants.
Otago Daily Times lifestyle editor Rebecca Fox, one of three judges, said the quality of the cuisine made it hard to choose a winner.
The challenge was won by Glenfalloch Restaurant executive chef Hannes Bareiter, assisted by Astrid Seiler.
Ms Fox said their entree, a roulade of sole and Karitane crayfish, grilled asparagus, fennel and lemon, and their main course, a smoked rack of Catlins lamb, celeriac, roast peppers and pickled carrot, were both unforgettable.
Allied Press commercial manager Matthew Holdridge said he was stoked the event had once again gone off with a bang.
"There was some great entertainment and loads of things to see.
"The crowds were really good despite the marginal weather — the beauty of the stadium, of course, is we don’t have to worry about that."
