Two teams at war in the MKR kitchen

My Kitchen Rules New Zealand season 2 launches tomorrow at 7.30pm on TV2.

The second season of My Kitchen Rules New Zealand debuts tomorrow night. Living talked to two Group One teams.

Laurence and Paul

Laurence and Paul.

Do you have nicknames?

Laurence: I've lived all over New Zealand and my mates call me different things. In Taranaki I'm Frank, my Northland mates call me Skooly and in Canterbury, I'm Goldberg. I'll answer to anything, really.
Paul: The two best known are Rangi and Sharpener. Rangi is from my last name, Rangiwahia and Sharpener comes from school mates after my attempt to impersonate a pencil sharpener.

What are your signature dishes?

Laurence: I love cooking Al Brown's paua ravioli, or a good roast lamb with the trappings.
Paul: I don't have a signature dish of sorts but I am very good at making something out of nothing. You know, when you open the fridge or cupboard and there seems like there is nothing to eat? Well, I see something that most people don't.

What were the first dishes you mastered?

Laurence: My university mate Toby caught some marlin once. I cooked it up for the flat with veges on the side and it was pretty good.
Paul: As a kid it was homemade hamburgers and as an adult it was the art of slow-cooking meats.

Any tips for making entertaining special?

Laurence: I love cooking up meals for mates. No matter who I'm cooking for, I try and plate up my meals as nicely as I can. Friends, banter and a few drinks all add up to a good night.
Paul: Be organised. It is all in the prep. If you do the prep, then you can relax a lot more and enjoy your guests. Good produce helps, as does wine!

Why is your province great?

Laurence: Our mountain, the sea, not too big or too small. Minimal traffic, good surf. An awesome place to raise a family.
Paul: Taranaki is beautiful and diverse, with art, sport and industry. As for its people, we are a down-to-earth and determined bunch.

Why should other contestants fear you?

Laurence: I'm a red head.
Paul: I am six foot two and work out and Laurence is a former front rower.

What do you like best about each other?

Laurence: I like how Paul is passionate about everything he does.
Paul: Laurence and I do not take each other that seriously. We are very family-oriented and we like a good challenge.

Any nervous habits?

Laurence: I didn't speak until I was six. My older sister used to translate for me. Sometimes when I'm nervous I jumble my words a bit.
Paul: I get quite gassy under pressure ... no seriously, if I am very nervous I will go red and start sweating. Based on this, a future in politics is out of the question.

How did you two meet?

Laurence: My boys go to St Joseph's school in New Plymouth and so do Paul's. The school organised a hangi, where Paul and I got chatting about our love of food.

Laurence - we were sorry to hear your brother died recently. Did that experience spur you on to join MKR?

My brother Chris died not long after I'd signed up. It's been a tough time - hopefully me being on MKR gives my sister-in-law and nieces, my mum, dad and my family and friends something to smile about.

Paul - What have you done with your suits and ties from your former corporate career?

I fought the urge to set fire to them and donated them to our local hospice. With a depleted wardrobe it was the perfect time for me and my mates to launch DWG - affordable, fair-trade, organic T-shirts, which feature my art.

Hannah and Cathy

Hannah and Cathy.

Hannah and Cathy are best friends and colleagues who work at Spring Hill Corrections Facility near Meremere, where they rehabilitate high-risk violent offenders.

What are your signature dishes?

Hannah: I have a few different cakes on rotation.
Cathy: I like making several Chinese dishes for my family dinner: lamb stew, garlic bok choy, cucumber salad and seafood tofu.

What's the first dish you mastered?

Hannah: Spaghetti bolognaise - under Mama's tutelage.
Cathy: Brisket and daikon Chinese stew.

Any tips for making entertaining special?

Hannah: Amazing food. And not taking the event too seriously. Oh, and great music.
Cathy: Always over-deliver on food quantity and quality. In my culture it's considered a sign of hospitality to have an abundance of food available. It's very embarrassing to have guests leaving hungry and disappointed.

Why is your province great?

Hannah: Auckland is by far the best place in the country. The cultural diversity, the amazing and varied food on offer, te maunga, te moana, the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets you get and the way the fog plays around the city, it's gorgeous!
Cathy: Auckland is the best province because it is vibrant with various cuisines and a range of diversity in restaurants. It's a melting hot pot of food from different cultures.

Why should other contestants fear you?

Hannah: We work in a prison, we can handle anything.
Cathy: I can incorporate both Asian and Western cuisines.

What do you like best about each other?

Hannah: I like Cathy's positive outlook.
Cathy: Hannah is firm and assertive. She can be a great friend to count on and she is not afraid to speak the truth. This is very courageous!

Any nervous habits?

Hannah: I tend to play with my hair a bit.
Cathy: I overcomplicate things when I am feeling uncertain. That ends up being counterproductive.

Is there anything you won't eat?

Hannah: Bacon.
Cathy: No.

How did you two meet?

Cathy: We first met at university doing the same postgraduate psychology paper. Later on, we both ended up working for Corrections. I was working at the Special Treatment Unit and then Hannah was interested in joining the team.

Are people surprised you both work in a prison?

Hannah: Yes.
Cathy: The job itself is very unique and people generally show an interest in what we do.

What's the most rewarding part of your day jobs?

Hannah: Being a small part in helping to make change in people's lives, and seeing the courage it takes for people to really explore what needs to change for them if they want a different future. It's very humbling.

Hannah - how has MKR helped your anxiety?

Hannah: MKR has helped me to see how far I've come in managing my anxiety in different situations. Normally being in any new situation or around new people freaks me out but this opportunity allowed me to really push myself out of my comfort zone, and I didn't fail. Or freak out too much. So it was quite a validating experience - all helped by the amazing people - cast and crew.

Cathy - what are you most looking forward to on your imminent OE?

Cathy: It is more of a self-discovery journey that I will be embarking on. The Camino de Santiago is an 800km walk along the top of northern Spain. To be honest, I am terrified of the daily physical exertion. But most of all I am excited about the spiritual process, the mental endurance, and the social and cultural experiences I will gain along the way. I will keep you guys posted on how it goes.