An immersive Māori kai experience | Secret Location | Tauranga CBD

Fresh off the back of winning “New Zealand’s Best Arts and Culture Event 2022 for Taiao: Food of the Gods”, Kitchen Takeover and Kārena and Kasey Bird have joined forces again to bring you ‘Ki Tua'. Devour a progressive, 5-course kai experience in a secret location in Tauranga CBD that takes you into the immersive world of Māori Atua, their connection with the natural world, and the kai we share.

From Saturday 11th March to Sunday 2nd April, two Aotearoa culinary superstars will take you on a multi-sensory journey of flavours, aromas, sound and more. Through edible storytelling, you’ll experience five unique ‘worlds’, each telling the legend of a Māori Atua. In each of our taiao, you will get to enjoy kai inspired by a moment in Ki Tua. Our five course adventure can be experienced for dinner (7-10pm) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights or a lovely long Sunday lunch (12:30-3:30pm).

Since winning Masterchef in 2014, Kārena and Kasey have travelled to over 50 destinations across the globe to meet chefs at the forefront of gastronomy. They will take the envelope-pushing techniques they’ve learnt and combine them with strong family traditions using traditional Māori cooking techniques and flavours. Both the kai and cocktails will bring to the fore some of Te Moana A Toi and Aotearoa most unique indigenous ingredients, supporting small scale producers that are passionate about their whenua.

We want the whole whanau to come together around our tēpu and so for this event we are offering a range of dietary requirements to cater to different needs. These include plant based, gluten free and more. Check out our FAQs further down for more details.

What: Five course degustation plus a welcome cocktail or mocktail by culinary superstars Kārena and Kasey Bird

When: Saturday 11 March - Sunday 2nd April

Where: A Secret Location, Tauranga CBD

How much: $159pp

FAQs

What are the dates and times?

Session times and dates are as follows:

Lunch 12:30-3:30pm, on:

Sunday 19th March
Sunday 26th March
Sunday 2nd April

Dinner 7 -10pm, on:

Saturday 11th March
Thursday 16th March
Friday 17th March
Saturday 18th March
Thursday 23rd March
Friday 24th March
Saturday 25th March
Thursday 30th March
Friday 31st March
Saturday 1st April

How much does it cost?

Tickets are $159 which includes five courses and a welcome cocktail or mocktail, plus the opportunity to meet our culinary superstars Kārena and Kasey. Please note if you want to get a photo with the girls, this will need to happen at the start of the evening so they can ensure you get your kai!

Who is it for?

Wild-at-heart foodies on the hunt for a ‘big city’ style food adventure. Think the intimacy of an East London supper club, mixed with the gastronomy of a top Melbourne laneway eatery and the creativity of a Copenhagen restaurant.

What about dietary requirements?

The menu will be revealed on arrival, but what we can tell you is on your plate will be all the classic foods - meat, fish, dairy and sugar. If you have dietary requirements, we can cater for gluten free, plant based, vegan, nut free, dairy free, vegetarian, pescatarian, no fish or seafood. We cannot cater to any other dietary requirements, but keep your eyes peeled for other events in 2023 where we can cater to your needs.

Who is creating the mouth watering menu?

Masterchef winners Kārena and Kasey have travelled to over 50 destinations across the globe learning about food and culture whilst also being involved with a number of food events and activations throughout Aotearoa. Hosting two seasons of the award-winning series on TVNZ1 "Kārena and Kasey’s Kitchen Diplomacy” saw them travel to a new overseas destination each episode. They’ve cooked for a number of Aotearoa dignitaries and celebration events around the world from world embassies to worldwide ANZAC celebrations. Their accolades include having been the food editors for Mana magazine and also food contributors for the Herald on Sunday. They’ve also self-published two award winning cookbooks “For the Love of...” & “Hungry”.

Will drinks be available?

Yes, there will be a selection of drinks that can be ordered at your convenience including wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, cocktails and mocktails. There will also be a drinks pairing available to purchase on the night of the event.

How does the seating work?

Guests can choose to sit on their own table or communally with other guests. Please make sure you select your chosen option at the checkout.

How does the secret location work?

The secret location will be revealed two hours prior to the event by text and email and is within the Tauranga CBD. The set menu will be announced when you arrive.

Refund Policy

All tickets are non-refundable, no exceptions. However, tickets are transferable so you can gift or sell them to someone else. If we have a waiting list, we can offer your ticket to the list so feel free to contact us for assistance.

If Kitchen Takeover has to postpone the event due to COVID-19, we will attempt to reschedule the event. If you are unable to attend on the rescheduled date we will offer you a refund or a credit towards a future event. Ticket holders will have seven days from notice to transfer their ticket to their preferred date.

Accessibility access?

Part of the seating area in the venue has stairs. If you require accessibility access, please select this at the checkout so we can seat you appropriately.

Questions?

Contact foodie@kitchentakeover.co.nz

Ngā mihi nui,

KTHQ