Maori Queen Of Cuisine Returns To Maori Television

PUBLICITY RELEASE

TUESDAY JUNE 3 2008

Maori Queen Of Cuisine Returns To Maori Television

Fresh fare, fabulous music and eclectic celebrity guests are the essential ingredients for Maori Television cuisine show KAI ORA, returning to screens on Sundays at 7.00 PM.

Hosted by the multi-talented Anne Thorp, KAI ORA is a celebration of fine dining, Maori style.

Colourful, simple, flavoursome food is the order of the day on KAI ORA, prepared in one of Anne’s two commercial kitchens in Herne Bay and Pakiri Beach, and enjoyed with two non-edible but essential ingredients: good friends and lots of laughter.

Anne practices the philosophy of manaakitanga - Maori hospitality. Each week she prepares mouth-watering dishes sourced from New Zealand’s finest produce for her invited guests. In return, they grace the occasion with a waiata or song, a modern revival of the tradition of ‘singing for one’s supper’.

“I get off on cooking for manuhiri, whanau and friends and for me the best part is the manaaki that comes with it,” says Anne. “The pataka, laughter, music, humour and aroha, that’s what KAI ORA is all about. My third series is my favourite • it’s a cracker!”

Guests this year include Shavaughn Ruakere (Te Atiawa, Taranaki), Tina Cross (Te Aupouri, Ngati Porou), Hinewehi Mohi (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tuhoe), Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, Miriama Smith (Te Arawa, Ngati Tuwharetoa) and her dance partner Jonny Williams (Ngapuhi) and radio personality Robert Rakete (Ngapuhi). Also on the show, Maori Television stars include current affairs presenters Julian Wilcox (Ngapuhi, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa) and Wena Harawira (Ngai Tuhoe, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui), and sports presenters Te Arahi Maipi (Ngati Mahuta, Ngati Whawhakia, Ngati Koroki, Ngati Tipa).

Anne was born in Whakatane, grew up in Gisborne and traces her whakapapa back to Ngati Awa and Ngai Te Rangi. The eldest daughter in a family of five boys and three girls, she has been cooking up a storm as long as she can remember.

Anne never lost the taste for the food she was brought up with, like watercress and fish heads. But her style has developed well beyond that, to combine the traditional with fresh European and Asian influences. Anne is known for healthy cuisine, using fresh local produce, from both land and sea, for KAI ORA.

This is a show all about easy cooking and easy eating, with laidback recipes that make you feel like summer never ended. With KAI ORA, the kitchen is not a place to escape from, but a haven to escape to.

KAI ORA, a refreshing vision of haute cuisine, Maori style, premieres on Sunday June 1 at 7.00 PM.

For images and media information, register with the Maori Television media centre at http://media.maoritelevision.com or for interviews, review tapes or further information, contact:

ENDS

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