Ahead of its launch next week My Kitchen Rules has revealed the first 8 teams in the running for the 2019 title.
Stacey & Ash, NSW – Recently Engaged
Engaged Byron Bay sweethearts Stacey, 27, and Ash, 34, are feeling the love and ready to share
their positive vibes with Australia. “Food has always been a passion of mine,” says Stacey. “It’s really exciting that we get to be a part
of MKR and make our own little magic on air.”
“And how lucky are all the teams coming to Byron!” gushes Ash about his hometown. The social media marketers hope to get a bunch
of likes for their market-fresh cuisine.
Amanda & Blake, WA – Sister and Brother
Proud siblings Amanda, 29, and Blake, 32, are coming into the competition with confidence
“Our biggest advantage in MKR is that we’re brother and sister,” says Blake. “Blood is thicker than water. We’re like twins. There’s not much that comes between us.”
The best friends, who share a background in retail, live by the rule ‘‘gym, tan, laundry.”
“But as much as we love our GTL, family is definitely number one,” says Amanda. “We want to make them proud.”
Karito & Ian, WA – Married Couple
Perth’s own “modern family”, Karito, 33, and Ian, 37, bring passion to the dancefloor and to the kitchen.“Cooking is a way to show my beautiful daughter and my amazing husband my love for them,” says Karito, who was born and raised in Colombia “with rhythm in my blood.”
Karito, a business development executive and online fashion retailer, was taught to cook by her
late grandmother. “I can’t believe I’m sharing, for the first time in My Kitchen Rules, Colombian culture,” she says. “I’m
here to honour my grandmother, my background and make my daughter proud.”
Ian meanwhile is “your typical skip.” “Falling in love with a Latino really spiced up my life,” the business owner reveals.
Andy & Ruby, QLD – Passionate Peruvians
Brisbane besties Andy, 31, and Ruby, 39, are self-confessed “true foodies” eager to put the food of their native Peru in the spotlight.
“We want to put Peru on the map,” explains Andy, who moved to Australia in 2006. “A lot of Aussies are still very unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine so we want to be able to showcase our heritage and how amazing our food is.”
“Australian food is boring; a bit bland,” says Ruby, who relocated to Brisbane in 2007 where she met Andy through a mutual friend 10 years ago.
“Peruvian food is bold, citrus, spicy,” says Andy. “Chilli is in our DNA.”
Mick & Jodie-Anne, VIC – Hubby and Wife
Representing country Victoria, husband and wife team Mick, 47, and Jodie-Anne, 49, are here to prove that people from small towns can do big things.
“We’re doing this for the so-called country bumpkins,” says Mick.
“We’re going to showcase some good food,” adds Jodie-Anne. “Bring the country to them city folk!”
The loved up, semi-retired couple enjoy nothing more than spending an arvo at their “slice of heaven” on the Murray River, having a beer and a wine, and cooking.
Chris & Lesley, QLD – Flight Attendants
First class flight attendants Chris, 57, and Lesley, 50, are planning to serve continental flavours inspired by their travels.
“In our job, we’ve experienced some amazing cuisines and we’ve brought those experiences home with us to share,” explains Chris, who has been flying for 28 years (“longer than the age of some people at the table”).
“Chris is the Cary Grant of the air,” confides Lesley, about her great friend of more than 20 years.
“I’m going to blush,” jokes Chris, who plans to show off his heritage by serving Italian classics with a modern twist.
Self-confessed glamour puss Lesley (“my bestie says I am the type of girl who puts on a sequin gown to collect seashells”) prides herself as a style doyenne and generous hostess of legendary parties.
Ibby & Romel, NSW – Socialites
Sydney socialites Ibby, 30, and Romel, 42, have a secret that as Ibby says “definitely makes us a threat in this competition.”
“Not that we’re going to tell the other teams that,” confides Romel, who runs an agency in the fashion industry.
The stylish friends, who met seven years ago, will draw on their shared Middle Eastern heritage in the kitchen.
“With our Persian and Lebanese backgrounds, we can come up with some very cool menus,” says Ibby. “I learnt to cook at a young age watching my grandmother and from then I knew I wanted a career in food.”
While Ibby knows flavours, Romel promises to add some spice at the table.
“Confrontation has never been something I have shied away from,” he reveals. “I am not afraid to speak my mind and put people in check should I feel they are overstepping the line.”
Josh & Austin, NSW – Home Schooled Brothers
Brutally honest siblings from Western Sydney, Josh, 25, and Austin, 21, are confident in who they are and what they’re doing.
“We’re amateur cooks and we’re going in this to learn and get better and better until we win,” says Austin.
“Our philosophy is if you decide to commit to something, you better give it everything you’ve got,” says Josh. “And we’re here to win a competition.”
Raised by missionary parents and home schooled in different countries, the devout Christian brothers are set to ruffle feathers with their no-nonsense approach.
“Every time I open my mouth I’ve got word vomit,” Josh admits. “But just because our opinion is somewhat obscene or offensive to you, doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
“And just because I don’t appear sociable doesn’t mean I don’t know how to work people.”
“One of the perks of being home schooled is that you’re not raised into the system,” Austin reveals.
My Kitchen Rules begins 7pm Monday on Seven
