Seafood sisters reel in MasterChef title

Kasey, left, and Karena Bird narrowly beat Jaimie Stodler and Bec Stanley in the final episode broadcast on TV One last night. Photo / Stephen Parker

Pair have been firm favourites, both with the judges and fans, since they first appeared on the show.

Seafood-loving sisters Kasey and Karena Bird last night celebrated their MasterChef victory with family and friends at a marae.

The siblings, aged 23 and 25 respectively, narrowly beat friends Bec Stanley and Jaimie Stodler in the final episode on TV One last night.

After being announced as the first winners in the show's duo format, the sisters had mixed reactions. Kasey seemed to be a little shocked, saying: "Holy moly!"

Karena, standing next to her, started to cry. "I can't believe it. It's just been such a long journey - but it's all been worth it. I'm so proud of Kasey and the fact we got to do it together.

"It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life."

The pair have been firm favourites, both with the judges and fans, since they first appeared on the show.

One of their first dishes to present to the judges was a cream paua ravioli, which got them to the top 15.

It is understood the dish, one of the Bird family's favourites, is now one of the most requested dishes by neighbours and friends.

In last night's final challenge, both teams were pushed hard.

They were asked to replicate two delicate dishes - warm lobster with ricotta gnudis and butternut puree and a roast baby lamb with four different cuts of lamb and caramelised yoghurt with veges - by top Australian culinary chef Matt Moran.

The pressure turned up a notch in the second part of the challenge, when they had to come up with Asian-inspired hors d'oeuvres for 180 VIP guests at MasterChef judge Josh Emett's new restaurant in Queenstown, Madame Woo.

Jaimie Stodler, right, and Bec Stanley.

Their final task was to re-create three complicated dishes by the MasterChef judges.

Both duos were reunited with friends and family once the winners were announced.

Kasey and Karena won $100,000 worth of prizes, including a Skoda Rapid Spaceback car each, $15,000 worth of groceries and a MasterChef cookbook deal.

The last supper

Challenge 1: Replicate two dishes by Australian chef Matt Moran: Warm lobster with ricotta gnudis and butternut puree and a roast baby lamb dish featuring four different cuts of lamb with caramelised yoghurt and veges.
Jaimie and Bec: 18/20
Kasey and Karena: 16/20
Challenge 2: Asian-style hors d'oeuvres for 180 VIP guests at judge Josh Emett's new restaurant.
Both teams awarded 18/20 each
Challenge 3: Replicate dishes by the three MasterChef judges - an entree, main and dessert.
Jaimie and Bec: 47/60
Kasey and Karena: 52/60
Jaimie and Bec: Total: 83/100
Kasey and Karena: Total: 86/100

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