"We've always loved cooking and it's been part of our family, getting together and celebrating around food, it's always been around the centre," Karena, 25, said.
They love eating out but living in Maketu they learnt to cook quality meals as often the nearest restaurant is 45 minutes away.
"We live next door to each other and across the road from our parents so we all take turns cooking at mum and dad's each night ... we cook everything but seafood is definitely our favourite as people always drop it off to us," Kasey, 23, said.
The duo have enjoyed success and high praise from the judges during the 10 episodes screened so far. They can't talk about the outcomes of future shows and said they are watching each episode for the first time along with everyone else.
"When they [judges] first talked to us we were just in a daze and [as] they are eating your dishes you feel kind of sick and numb," Kasey said.
"The kitchen is like a different world but as soon as you have your task you don't really think about the cameras and just concentrate on what you're doing," Karena said.
While it was a competition, the sisters said they got on well with all their fellow contestants and are still friends with them today.
"We're all really good friends and have gone through that pressure cooker stress and experience with each other so they are the ones that understand," Karena said. "It's not like Survivor where you strategise and vote each other off, you could be the best cook in the world but it's how you perform on the day."
Having each other and the support of their "tight-knit" family and community is what the women credit for getting them through the challenges of the show.
"It's been really valuable experience and for us it's really cemented our passion for food and we know that it's what we want to do in life," Kasey said.
MasterChef New Zealand is on Sunday nights at 7.30pm. You can also follow the sisters' progress on Facebook.
