MasterChef Winners Kārena and Kasey Bird Share Their Christmas Feast

Christmas this year for MasterChef New Zealand winners Kārena and Kasey Bird will be a family-centric celebration at their grandparents’ home in Maketū, a small town in the Bay of Plenty region. With a population of just over 1,000, this idyllic setting serves as the heart of their family gatherings. The sisters are preparing for a larger-than-usual celebration, which will include relatives from across the country and cherished family friends visiting from France.

The Birds aim to reciprocate the warmth and hospitality they have experienced during their visits to France. “We want to give them the best time possible because the manaakitanga they’ve shown us has been amazing,” says Kasey. She recalls memorable meals shared in some of France’s oldest restaurants, hoping to create a similar experience at home.

A Relaxed Approach to Festivities

In contrast to the bustling restaurant scene, the Birds’ Christmas approach is delightfully casual. “Maketū is beautiful at Christmastime,” Kārena notes, emphasizing the sunny weather and vibrant pōhutukawa blossoms that adorn their surroundings. The family embraces a collaborative cooking style, where each member contributes to the meal. This year, they plan to balance time spent together with moments of relaxation, ensuring a laid-back atmosphere.

With Kasey‘s son recently turning four, the sisters appreciate the joy children bring to family gatherings. “Christmas is much more fun since my nephew arrived,” Kārena adds. The family starts their day around 10:00 with a champagne breakfast featuring croissants and fresh berries, followed by everyone preparing their own dishes to share for a festive lunch.

The Bird family’s culinary tradition diverges from the typical Christmas fare. “We’ve never really been a turkey family,” Kasey explains, noting that their mother frequently cooked ham throughout the year. For Christmas, they lean towards seasonal seafood, which is abundant due to their coastal location. Kārena has taken up free diving and spear fishing, hoping to source fresh seafood for the occasion. “If we don’t get anything, we’ll just say we’re going for a swim,” she quips.

A Feast to Remember

Regardless of the day’s fishing success, the Birds will not go hungry. Their aunty is known for her impressive salads, while their sister Michaela is celebrated for her delicious cob loaf. Additionally, an uncle brings a touch of Southern flair with dishes like succotash and corn pudding, showcasing fresh sweetcorn from the region.

The sisters take pride in preparing the meat dishes, often opting for a Traeger smoker to cook proteins low and slow. One standout dish is their marinated salmon, which they describe as easy yet impressive. “You marinate it, cook it, pull it out and top it with salad and ‘ta-da!’” Kasey states, highlighting the simplicity of the dish that features feta cheese and watercress to complement the richness of the salmon.

No Christmas celebration is complete without a memorable dessert. The Bird sisters’ Chocolate & Black Doris Plum Trifle with kawakawa syrup embodies a festive classic infused with local flavors. “Black Doris plums are so rich, sweet and tangy. They’re Dad’s favourite, so we always try to include them in a dessert,” Kasey explains. This trifle can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient addition to their holiday spread.

The kawakawa leaves used in the dessert’s syrup are foraged from a grove planted by the sisters, which began with a gift from fashion designer Kiri Nathan. Each year, they plant more seedlings, creating a sustainable source of this local ingredient for their family and the greater Maketū community.

As the Birds prepare for this festive occasion, their Christmas celebration promises to blend the warmth of family, the joy of togetherness, and the rich flavors of New Zealand cuisine, creating cherished memories for years to come.