This is the Battle of the Regions, a chance for Kiwi cooks to showcase their little patch of paradise, but when it comes down to the finale it may well be a fight between two of our biggest cities. A second semi-final to air on TV2 from 7.30pm Monday determines whether it will be Wellington friends Jess and Stella or Waikato couple Jay and Sarah taking on Aucklanders William and Zoe.
There's nothing quite like a bit of rivalry to get a nation on its feet, or jumping on the coffee table - we're a passionate bunch.
Much like sport, it has nailbiting moments, thrills, spills and injuries - but unlike your favourite game there's no referee to combat the confrontation.
2. To claim "I could do that"
Ah yes, it's easy to sit back and critique with the best of them - them being internationally renowned chefs Ben Bayly and Gareth Stewart, who judge the competition.
To say "I could do that" while devouring a great slab of unseasoned steak and three veg on your lap in front of the box.
It may even feel like a sense of achievement to see the custard you pride yourself on perfecting at dinner parties, failing miserably at the hands of wannabe chefs. Or sip wine number three and call your bestie to proclaim "We're better than this, let's enter next year".
3. For the spills
Someone will cry over spilt milk, burnt creme brulee, or badly presented plates.
There will be terse words and tense kitchen encounters, a few phrases inappropriate for primetime television and maybe even some injuries requiring medical attention.
It's the nature of a cooking show - add a cup of pressure, a pinch of stress, a dash of dilemma and you have the recipe for disaster - and who doesn't want to watch that play out?
4. To watch tall poppies fall
Who will handle the heat and who will come down in a screaming heap?
New Zealanders are all for backing a side, but we're not particularly keen on overly confident competitors or cocky types (cough, The Block NZ's winning couple Brooke and Mitch).
We like the slow achievers, quiet underdogs, an occasional inspirational quote, and some feel good defiance in the face of adversity - My Kitchen Rules has it all tied up in one neat little package.
Will it be bubbly blonde Gatecrashers Jess and Stella, highschool sweethearts Jay and Sarah or "Yo Pros"(young professionals) William and Zoe taking out the top spot?
5. For some cooking tips you'll never use
If you watch for no other reason, do it to see frenzied teams whip up masterful food in minutes.
Knowing you could take a recipe that impressed top chefs, and serve it to your mates at the next pot luck - hell, that sounds great.
You may even print said menu and slot it into a clear file with the best of intentions, though it's more than likely to end up in the "too hard" basket.
Whether you like cooking or not it's nice to think you, Joe Bloggs, could create pea puree or whip up handmade pasta in an hour.
When: Monday and Tuesday nights, 7.30pm
Where: TV2
What: The final fry up.
