From the 11th March – 2nd April Kitchen Takeover hosted 1050 diners behind the doors of Volare in Tauranga with Masterchef winners, Kārena and Kasey Bird.
Kārena and Kasey, as well as a kitchen full of wonderful wāhine (including their little sister Michaela) and the Kitchen Takeover team served up a five course degustation that transported diners into the immersive world of Māori Atua. Through audio clips, Kārena and Kasey’s Mother guided us all on a culinary journey explaining the course, the wine match and the deity which inspired the dish.
WHAT WAS ON THE MENU?
Hineahuone | The first women, formed from clay at KurawakaBeef or beetroot tartar, Te Puke truffle mayo with a charcoal cracker
Wine match: Tohu Rewa Rose
Non alc match: Waikirikau Nga Tanga A Papatuānuku, herbal blend
Hinemoana | Female aqua of the OceanPickled Cloudy Bay Clams tuatua or Marama’s mushrooms on fry bread w palusami rouille
Wine match: Greywacke Riesling
Non alc match: Waikirikau Haa Raumati – cucumber, juniper, lime
Hinepukohurangi | Female deity of the mistKai kohua, watercress, bacon bone & nasturtium or charcoal kamokamo w miso and watercress broth
Wine match: The Huntress Waihonga
Non alc match: Virgin Bloody Mary
Papatuanuku | Mother EarthManawa honey glazed New Zealand Farmed Venison or jackfruit w pāua & riwai espuma
Wine match: Tiki WJM Pinot Noir
Non alc match: Wai Mānuka
Hineteiwaiwa | Principle deity of Te Where Pora – House of weaving Seasonal fruit tart, kawakawa caramel, Mount Made passionfruit & kawakawa ice cream
Wine match: Tohu Raiha Reserve Noble Riesling
Non alc match: Something Big is Brewing passionfruit kombucha
“A huge thank you to the Kitchen Takeover team for putting on the brilliant Ki Tua event. The professional and efficient waiting staff, the fantastic venue and atmosphere and of course the epic local kai created by the beautiful wāhine Kārena and Kasey made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
“I have already extolled the pleasure we gained from attending this occasion and the fact that we would do it again in a heart beat. After our kōrero we had others searching for the Kitchen Takeover possibilities in their own rohe.”
“Loved everything about this evening – the theme and storytelling interwoven through the evening and the food and wine matches were amazing- it all just worked perfectly together. Plus the location and girl power behind it all!”
