Karena and Kasey's Kitchen Diplomacy - First Episode

In the first episode of their award-winning show, MasterChef NZ winners Karena and Kasey Bird head to South Korea, to create their version of Kiwi-Korean fusion cooking. They learn about barbecue and the local affinity for 'Pokarekare Ana', before splitting up — Kasey heads to the local markets, and Karena goes into the mountains to learn the ancient art of making kimchi. Lessons follow from a Seoul chef who worked for Gordon Ramsay, and Korean dish Bibimbap is sampled. Then the two present their take on Korean cuisine to a range of top chefs and officials, despite severely limited cooking equipment.

We've got three burners, no oven, and we have to make 120 dishes.

– Kasey Bird on cooking for top chefs and diplomats in challenging conditions

Key Cast & Crew

Simon Fleming

Series Producer

Emma O'Connor

Editor

Karena Bird

Presenter

Tony Barnes

Cinematographer

Kasey Bird

Presenter

Darryl McEwen

Director, Executive Producer