Karena and Kasey were brought up in the small Bay of Plenty coastal village of Maketu with a population of just over 900 people. It was there they learned the values of fresh produce and celebrated traditional Maori recipes that take advantage of nature’s bounty. Life was simple but full. During their teenage years they developed a love of food and eating, saving their modest allowances to spend weekends in Auckland dining at the latest hot spots.

In 2008 following school the sisters went their separate ways, Kasey to Melbourne and Karena to Wellington, the culinary meccas cementing their appreciation of good food. On returning to Maketu the sisters perfected their cooking style. Importantly, they entered Masterchef with a study and practice plan to fill in the gaps in their culinary knowledge and skill base.

The challenge became a family affair with dad providing words of caution helping the sisters realise they would have to make sure their odyssey was worth it. Meanwhile mum encouraged their enterprise, buying kitchen equipment and washing the piles of dishes resulting from the culinary quest.