Taiao: Food of the Gods 

Taiao: Food of the Gods was an immersive culinary experience with celebrity chefs Karena and Kasey Bird when I was leading Kitchen Takeover. It won the New Zealand's Event Awards Best Art and Culture event in 2022. 

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The event celebrated the Māori deities of the natural world through a six-course degustation dinner. A truly immersive experience, each mouth-watering moment was inspired by Atua Māori and the Taiao. 

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Kasey and Karena, Masterchef winners from 2014, brought their global culinary experiences to the forefront, combining cutting-edge techniques with traditional Māori cooking methods and flavors. The dishes featured the finest produce from New Zealand, with a focus on Bay of Plenty growers and makers.

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Testimonials:

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"Fantastic idea, loved the thematic styling, loved the mystery of the venue, and the food was to a very high standard... I will definitely be coming back!" Bridget Gallagher

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"Karena and Cassy's talent and story combine to create a faultless menu. Every dish is SO good! The styling; the atmosphere; the drinks are all executed to perfection." Emily Bailey

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"An exceptional evening of dining, with excellent service and atmosphere. A must for any foodie looking for some fun and an experience outside the norm." Raysan Al-Kubaisi