After winning her regional Final at the first attempt, the 24-year-old driven and highly talented self-employed urbanite from Karaka became the story everyone was talking about.
Raised on a lifestyle block, Kendall grew up in South Auckland with her lawyer Mum and her father who was an electrical engineer but the city wasn't for her as she set about becoming a farmer.
Following a Diploma in Agriculture and Farm Management at University, shea worked on dairy and sheep farms and went to Thailand to volunteer in an orphanage.
Although her parents thought she'd become a professional ballet dancer, they couldn't be prouder of the Northern lass who has a very real chance of becoming the first female ever to win the FMG Young Farmer of the Year!
Kendall owns and operates Nurture Farming Ltd - an ag support service company.
She was a hugely talented ballet dancer, but quit the bright lights for farming.
She recalls as a youngster always watching the FMG Young Farmer of the Year and telling herself that one day she would win it.
However, there are six equally determined Kiwis from around the country studying hard in the lead-up to the event to put their region on the map.
Included in that is Best, another hot favourite.
From the East Coast of the North Island, the 27-year-old has all skills on paper to create a massive headache for his peers should everything fall into place.
The PGG Wrightson technical representative also has leadership acumen and will show that in the heat of battle.
However, he faces an added expectation with East Coast winning every decade that ends with a seven since 1987.
Best friend and former flatmate Richard French (27), from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty, will also be tough opposition, having worked as a banker before coming back to farming.
In an unusual twist this year, Taranaki/Manawatu representative James Lawn is the third of the flatmates trio to make the Grand Final.
The dairy farmer has broad experience to back him up after travelling extensively throughout the world. He will also have an undoubted advantage with the Grand Final being hosted by the Manawatu - but will have to push all friendships aside to do it.
The most experienced contestant this year is Andrew Wiffen who will represent the Tasman region.
The West Coast dairy farmer has competed in many Regional Finals and will be the most comfortable new entrant to Grand Final level. At 29-years-old, he is also the veteran contestant, and will bring all that richness of knowledge to the fore.
Aorangi's Arjan Van't Klooster is expected to be in the top three come the end of the Grand Final, which is not surprising, given the region's extraordinary strong record in recent years - with back-to-back wins by Matt Bell (2015) and Athol New (2016).
A highly driven entrepreneur and innovative dairy farmer, Van't Klooster is focused on doing it once and doing it right.
Rounding out the magnificent seven is Otago/Southland's Nigel Woodhead.
Hailing from Milton in South Otago, the sheep and beef farmer also has extensive arable experience and could be the pride of his province should he be the first from his province to bring the trophy home since 1982.
* FMG Young Farmer of the Year: Palmerston North and Feilding, July 6-8.
