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Home / Rotorua Daily Post

Glitzy launch for Maketu's Masterchef winners (+pics & video)

Rotorua Daily Post
14 Apr, 2015 06:00 PM2 mins to read

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Kasey and Karena Bird

Kasey and Karena Bird

150415bf1   . l-r  Wai Morrison, Sarah Riley, Aurora Riley-Ngatai, 10, Felicity Kaiwai    Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf2     Julie Ferguson, left, and Irene Ferguson    Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf3    l-r Alison Thomson, Charles Sturt, Denise Sturt, Fiona Marshall   Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf5  Sato Inove and Tamarah Kruse   Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf4    l-r  Tiweka Anaru, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Donnarae Raukawa-Doughty, Beryl Harris, Toia Lucas   Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf6    Misook Son, Nicola Black, Janette McKnight, Kelley Rust    Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf7    Annemarie Quill and Poppy Quill, 7,  Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf8    Kasey and Karena Bird at their book launch at the Stratosfare restaurant at Skyline   Photo/Ben Fraser
150415bf9    l-r Kellie Thomasen, Menno Gromdsma, Bree Hamilton   Photo/Ben Fraser

Image 1 of 9: 150415bf1 . l-r Wai Morrison, Sarah Riley, Aurora Riley-Ngatai, 10, Felicity Kaiwai Photo/Ben Fraser

They've been a big hit in people's lounges but last night friends, family and fans got to spend an evening with Maketu's best known sisters Kasey and Karena Bird.

The duo celebrated the launch of their new book For The Love Of... with 320 dinner guests - including Rotorua MP Todd McClay and Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick - at the Stratosfare restaurant at Skyline overlooking Rotorua's nightscape.

"We know we're related to most of the people in Rotorua but we're amazed how many people have come," said Karena.

"I knew it would be quite glitzy but they're so supportive here. We've not had to worry about anything."

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On the menu was a coconut curry mussel dish, a recipe the Birds developed for the restaurant as part of their partnership - every quarter they share a new dish with the kitchen staff for diners to enjoy.

If you had told the sisters two years ago they would be where they are today they would not have believed you, the past 24 months have been an eye-opener and life changer, they said.

"I never would have gone on Masterchef without my sister," said Kasey.

"It's been really amazing. It's made me feel less shy."

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Karena said they feel welcomed wherever they go because of that one television series.

"People we meet say they feel they already know us, they feel that we're part of their family, Kasey's had to get used to that. Now she's the one giving the hugs."

They will visit a total 50 places in 27 days with the book and after that they hope to get into more kitchens.

"In another two years we'll have another cookbook," said Karena.

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"And maybe our own restaurant," said Kasey.

Skyline Rotorua general manager Bruce Thomasen said they were rapt to be associated with the Bird sisters.

"They have done such a fantastic job for the Bay of Plenty," he said.

"We celebrate them and we really appreciate the opportunity to host them. Kitchen theatre is what Masterchef is about; by linking up with Kasey and Karena it helps elevate our team."

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