Waikare Marae, between Kawakawa and Russell, will star in the second series of Marae Kai Masters when it hits TV screens next year.
A crew from Tumanako Productions spent Friday and Saturday filming Waikare locals gathering and preparing their specialties, then hosted a group of kaumatua and kuia for lunch.
Ten marae around the country will take part in the challenge, the winner of which will receive prizes worth $40,000. The series will screen on Maori TV in mid-2015.
Northern Advocate reporter/photographer Peter de Graaf went along to capture the action (and sample the delicious fare).