Prizes to do up marae from show

GRAND WINNERS: Rawiri Tinirau (left), Tumanako Tinirau with Rongomaiwahine and John Hamlin were last night crowned Marae Kai Masters.PHOTO/ SUPPLIED 28052015WCSUPRANANA

The kitchen at Ranana Marae on the Whanganui River will soon have a dramatic makeover thanks to Maori TV series Marae Kai Masters.

Marae chairman Rawiri Tinirau called members of his whanau home to form a team that beat Uiraroa Marae, Whakatane, to the grand prize on the final episode that screened last night.

The prize package includes a new oven, dishwasher, workbenches and shelving, vouchers for kitchenware, a year's supply of seafood and $5000 cash.

The four-strong winning team included Rawiri, his father John, sister Rongomaiwahine and brother Tumanako who all live in different parts of the country. Their first challenge was filmed at Ranana where they cooked for show hosts Te Kohe Tuhaka and Nevak Rogers and other manuhiri (visitors).

Tumanako is a renowned baker and created New Zealand's first gluten-free croissant so his selection of breads served with the entree were bound to impress. The main course of venison was let down by Tumanako's blackberry sauce which he forgot to prepare ahead of time and Te Kohe said it spoiled the taste of the meat.

Despite that setback, the meal was impressive enough to keep them in the final and take them all the way to the top.

Rawiri said the best part of the competition was meeting other ringawera (kitchen hands) from marae across the country.

"They are fantastic people, doing great things for their marae and there were more similarities than differences across the competing teams.

"What viewers didn't get to see is the whanaungatanga [kinship], aroha and genuine sharing and caring that occurs between and across the teams."

The team were required to perform tasks they would not normally carry out on the marae and Rawiri said the whanau discovered skills and strengths they were not aware they had and learned some new ones.

Rawiri said anyone thinking about forming a team to represent their marae for the next series should go for it.

"You have to be prepared to receive constructive criticism, and remember that you are representing your marae.

"How you portray yourselves on camera will be how the viewers will remember you forever."

Renovation of the 60-year-old kitchen at Ranana has begun and Rawiri said it will be great to add the new appliances.

"It's a small way that our whanau can contribute to our marae."

As for that blackberry sauce, Rawiri said it was delicious once it had time to develop properly.

"Unfortunately, the judges received a very last-minute version of the blackberry sauce, which hadn't had time to reduce and sweeten.

"Luckily, however, our invited kuia and koroheke were served the good stuff, and loved it.

"And at the end of the day, if they are happy, then we are happy."