Subscribe for the latest recipes Join Now
  • Home
  • About
    • Partnerships
  • Recipe Index
    • All Recipes
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Restaurants
  • Chicago Events
  • Giveaways
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About
    • Partnerships
  • Recipe Index
    • All Recipes
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Restaurants
  • Chicago Events
  • Giveaways
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
↑

Chicago Loves Panini

Going panini and beyond in the Windy City - and loving it!

  • Home
  • About
    • Partnerships
  • Recipe Index
    • All Recipes
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Restaurants
  • Chicago Events
  • Giveaways
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

Chicago Events

2025 Inspired Home Show review

shared by MickyN | Leave a Comment

In the US, March is recognized as National Nutrition Month and Women’s History Month. We also celebrate International Women’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Last but not least, March is also important to me for The Inspired Home Show.

You may remember my excitement over the International Home+Housewares Show from years past (You can find my previous coverage of this event here, here, here, here and here) Now hosted under its new name, The Inspired Home Show, the event represents the yearly pinnacle of inspiration and creativity for the industry. The Show is owned and operated by the International Housewares Association (IHA).

This year, The Inspired Home Show showcased 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products to home and housewares professionals from 115 countries. The products were organized into five categories: Clean + Contain, Dine + Decor, Wired + Well, International Sourcing, Travel Gear + Luggage (new). I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a variety of businesses, both big and small, and (re)connecting with the driving forces behind the brands and the concepts.

NEW FINDS

  • PureWine

My day started off with a visit to the PureWine booth. PureWine was founded in 2014 by Dr. David Meadows and his son Derek. “Both father and son suffered from wine headaches and experienced allergic reactions to red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. But, like true scientists, they didn’t suffer in silence — they set out to understand the problem and to solve it. Together, father and son spent two years in the laboratory looking for a solution to the side effects of wine. The ‘Eureka moment’ came one day in the lab when David and Derek found the precise means to selectively remove histamines and sulfites without otherwise changing the chemistry of wine.”

PureWine has sold over 25 million units, received over 10,000 five-star reviews, and has been the world’s #1-selling wine purifier and the top-selling wine accessory on Amazon for the past four years. Moreover, the Phoenix Reusable Wine Purifier and the Eco-White Wand won the prestigious Good Design Award for sustainability. I had a fascinating science-driven discussion with Dr. Meadows at the PureWine booth, and I look forward to trying out their wine purifier.

  • FinaMill

My next stop was at the FinaMill booth, where I observed a demo of their gorgeous grinders with new colors and upgraded motors, and I sampled delicious ice cream served with freshly ground toppings. FinaMill was named one of 2024’s top inventions in the Food Category by TIME magazine, and I can see why: Not only are these spice grinders a design marvel, but their superior power makes grinding ingredients such as whole spices and chocolate chunks a breeze.

It was a bit too early for ice cream, but no worries and no complaints from me 🙂

  • RENEW by TRINITY

Meeting the RENEW by TRINITY team and learning about their sustainability-driven business model was one of the highlights of my experience. Their collection includes serving boards, pet crates, home furnishings, and customizable shelving, made in the USA from recycled bamboo chopsticks.

According to Cze-Chao Tam, CEO of TRINITY, “Our RENEW by TRINITY line exemplifies how everyday products can be re-imagined through sustainability and thoughtful design. Each product is manufactured in our Chop Shop in the USA, transforming discarded bamboo chopsticks into durable, high-quality serving boards and furnishings that contribute to a healthier planet.”

The multi-grain bread board is perfect for preparing and presenting meals. Crafted from 813 reclaimed bamboo chopsticks, it features a unique grain pattern, and offers custom engraving options.

How stunning does it look?

In addition to serving boards, RENEW by TRINITY makes dual-purpose dog crates/end tables, modular shelving, and shoe benches, designed to elevate every space with eco-friendly style and functionality.

  • Prepara

I was also excited to stop by the Prepara booth to check out their latest invention, the Salad Pod. Featuring vertical layering to keep ingredients crisp, a leakproof dressing capsule, and an innovative front hatch that turns it into a tabletop bowl, the Salad Pod is perfect for busy professionals, students, and meal preppers who want fresh, healthy meals anytime, anywhere. The Pod is a lightweight, break-resistant and durable alternative to glass made from clear Tritan plastic. It is freezer-safe, dishwasher-safe, and stain- and odor-resistant, versatile and compact, which makes it suitable for work, school or travel. According to Prepara, consumers can use it to transport pasta, fruits, and even leftovers.

  • Cirkul

Cirkul booth was one of the most popular booths at the Expo, and I checked it out because I was intrigued by how busy it was. Upon doing research, I learned that Cirkul are some of the trendiest water bottles at the moment 🙂

Cirkul‘s innovative bottle allows you to flavor your water sip by sip. According to the brand, you can “go from drinking plain water, to drinking your new favorite beverage, and back to drinking plain water with a turn of the flavor dial.” They offer a variety of bottle designs, flavors, and bundles on their site, as well as free shipping on orders over $15 (very convenient).

Cirkul is a new family favorite. I love to leak-proof design, the convenience, and the portability.

  • Recyco

While I was browsing casually, I was approached by a Recyco rep, who offered to tell me more about their products. With sustainability being so important to me, I said yes, and I was soon on my way to a explore the Recyco booth.

The gorgeous design of Recyco items is inspired by a desire to inspire positive change. As stated on the Recyco website, “Our products are carefully crafted to be both functional and beautiful, merging innovation with sustainability (…) We prioritize the planet in everything we do, from using eco-friendly materials to reducing waste and conserving resources.”

Recyco makes a variety of Swedish dishcloths and waffle kitchen towels that are absolutely stunning! I love these sustainable additions to my kitchen.

  • Cuckoo

Cuckoo was another new find for me, and I highly appreciated the opportunity to stop by their booth to learn more about the brand and its products. Cuckoo have recently unveiled their new 3-in-1 Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Machine and Powerclone Cordless Vacuum, and they are getting ready to launch a range of rice cookers with advanced silencing technology. I was impressed with the sleek and functional design of these rice cookers, and I look forward to seeing them in-store soon.

  • Shelfy

A Global Innovation Awards (gia) finalist this year, Shelfy is a fridge purifier that eliminates bacteria and odors, as well as pollutants that accelerate the ripening of fruits and vegetables. The gadget has been proven to help produce last up to 12 days longer, and according to information posted on the official website, its effectiveness “has been confirmed by Italian universities and laboratories. His photocatalytic technology reduces bacteria by 99% and odors by 80%, preserving food freshness and slowing down mold growth.”

Such an interesting product!

  • HORL

HORL‘s unique knife sharpening technology was one of the highlights of my learning experience at this year’s Show. Showcasing an innovative two-piece design with the knife held in place by a strong magnet at a consistent angle and a double-sided roller, with a diamond surface to sharpen and another to hone the blade, HORL sharpeners are easy to use (just attach the knife and start rolling!) and they deliver consistent, professional-level results at home. HORL products are crafted in Germany from high quality materials, ensuring they last a lifetime and their look doesn’t fade with the passage of time.

HORL has recently launched its next generation of rolling knife sharpeners, as well as scissors that you can sharpen at home with a HORL sharpener.

  • Roam

I am a big fan of carbonated water (I am sipping some while writing this article :-)) and as such I was super excited to learn about Roam, a portable carbonation device that makes sparkling water on the go. Having been named one of the best products at this year’s CES by NBC News, Roam also received the coveted Global gia Award for Sustainability at The Inspired Home Show this year (You can check out the full list of gia award winners here) Roam’s portable carbonator carbonates a liter of water in under 5 seconds, and eliminates the need for bulky countertop systems and CO2 canisters. 

I love the concept of a portable carbonating device, and I cannot wait for the product to launch officially!

  • COSPRO

COSPRO unveiled its new electric salt and pepper grinder sets with wireless chargers, which couple modern design with functionality. These grinders make seasoning dishes a breeze – you can do it with only one hand! They feature a 5-level adjustable coarseness setting, from extra coarse to very fine. An LED light illuminates the spices as you grind, making it easy to season accurately, even in low-light conditions.

Built with long-lasting ceramic grinding heads, the COSPRO grinders provide superior durability and corrosion resistance compared to traditional metal mechanisms.

  • Tattler

As my day at the Show was drawing to a close, I made a big discovery: Reusable canning lids do exist, and they are made in the USA! As a foodie with a passion for canning and for food preservation more broadly, I know that metal lids cannot be re-used for canning (I do re-use them to store vacuumed dry goods, such as beans or freeze-dried fruits). Enter Tattler, a small business from Michigan that specializes in reusable canning lids. Their lids are BPA free, made in the USA from FDA approved materials, and they can be re-used indefinitely for hot water bath and pressure canning. According to the info posted on their website, the lids are dishwasher safe, too!

I have yet to try Tattler lids, and the online reviews I have read so far (here and here) emphasize the uniqueness of the canning process. Tattler provide a guide on their website, which will come in handy as I get ready to “break the ice” and use these lids, most likely in the summer.

ESTABLISHED FAVORITES

  • Ann Clark 

I am a big fan of Ann Clark products, and I couldn’t wait to check out their latest products at the Show.

Earlier this year, Ann Clark unveiled its first-ever Vault Collection, a limited-edition series of re-released classic cookie cutter designs that celebrate 35 years of creativity and baking inspiration. In addition to the items in the Vault Collection, Ann Clark showcased new premium mixes (cookies, crepes, scones, and lemon curd), new baking ingredients (Premium Strawberry Meringue Powder, Decorating Sugars, Fruit Powders, Malted Milk Powder, and more), as well as baking tools such as piping bags, parchment paper, and rolling pins.

You are welcome to check out my review of Ann Clark’s Vault Collection and Premium Strawberry Meringue Powder here, along with an exclusive interview with Ann Clark’s son & CEO of the company, Ben Clark. My first review of Ann Clark products, which I posted last year, can be found here.

  • Gourmia

One of the brands I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting to at the Show was Gourmia, whose award-winning air fryer I reviewed and included in my holiday gift guide last year. For 2025, Gourmia offers a variety of product innovations in air fryers, toaster oven air fryers, pizza and coffee makers, as well as blenders and slow cookers.

I was particularly excited to check out Gourmia’s Cravy, a soft-serve ice cream maker featuring industry-first built-in freezing technology. Set to launch in Q2 2025, Cravy will make soft-serves, (spiked) slushies, milkshakes, frappes, and sorbets faster, by eliminating pre-freezing time. Cravy will come in two sizes, which will accommodate small gatherings and larger groups, respectively. 

I think Gourmia Cravy will be a big hit this summer!

  • GreenPan

I thoroughly enjoyed checking out the products and demos at the GreenPan booth. One of the highlights was my discovery of their milk maker, which is set to deliver “fresh, homemade plant-based milk in minutes.”

I also spent some time marveling at the Stanley Tucci Collection…

…and enjoying the burger demo at the Bobby Flay by GreenPan station (I included the superb premium stainless steel cutlery collection in my 2024 gift guide here)

  • FIREUP

Congratulations to FIREUP cookware for winning the 2025 IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) for Excellence in Product Design! As someone who is familiar with cast iron cookware and has covered the FIREUP innovations before, I was rooting for this small business to win, and they delivered 🙂

In the US, FIREUP is available at Williams Sonoma.

I couldn’t leave the Show without checking out a few other personal favorites: Hestan Culinary (which I covered here)…

…Nordic Ware (previous coverage here)…

…Le Creuset…

…Danica (previous coverage here)…

…and Asobu (previous coverage here)

As I was getting ready to leave, I caught a glimpse of Iron Chef America Cat Cora, and I couldn’t resist asking her to take a pic with me 🙂

With one very successful Inspired Home Show coming to an end, preparations are already in full swing for next year’s edition, scheduled to take place between 10-12 March, 2026. Will you see me there? Of course! Nowhere else can you find the inspiration and the innovation, the talent and the creativity in home and housewares all under the same roof. This premium event is one of my favorites, and I look forward to attending every year. See you in 2026 🙂

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on LinkedIn

Related

Chicago Events

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




I have a passion for writing and an appetite for cooking. I love to tell stories about foods, cultures, and people - and I love to eat! Come join me on this delicious foodie adventure! Read More

Find your dish:

  • All things meat
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Canning
  • Chicago Events
  • Chicago nights
  • Coffee Time
  • Cooking Competitions
  • Desserts
  • Dinner
  • Drinks
  • Fish
  • Food Trends
  • Giveaways
  • Healthy and Trendy
  • Love Local
  • Lunch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Out and about in Chi Town
  • Panini and Sandwiches
  • Pizza Love
  • Products
  • Recipes
  • Restaurant favorites
  • Restaurants
  • Reviews
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Vegetarian

Featured recipes

My review of THE CUBE Chicago

How to use carrot tops: delicious no-waste

Fusion horchata mocktail magic!

What is anko? Info and recipe suggestions

Don't miss out!

Subscribe for recipes straight to your inbox

Copyright ©2026, Chicago Loves Panini. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs