KAI - the first book in the KAI series

Winner of the Judith Binney Prize for illustrated non-fiction, 2023 Ockham NZ Book Awards

‘My food story begins at home, on my nana’s lap, as she fed me kamokamo mashed with butter when I was just a young thing. Too young to walk or talk, I’m sure that first meal set me up for a life of loving good, homegrown kai (and butter).’ — Christall Lowe

The gathering of food and people to share a meal is at the heart of Māori family life. Kai is a passionate homage to a life deeply rooted in food, where exquisite flavours weave seamlessly with cherished food memories.

Award-winning food photographer Christall Lowe invites you to join her family table and experience for yourself an abundance of mouth-watering dishes, a veritable feast for the eyes and stomach. With over 100 recipes including mānuka honey muttonbird and pūhā; the softest, sweetest rēwena bread; melt-in-your-mouth oven-cooked hāngī; creamy lemon garlic crayfish; Nana’s famous burnt sugar-steamed pudding; and custard and rhubarb-filled donuts — this book is a treasure.

In addition to the delicious recipes, Kai is a nostalgic tribute to the food memories of Christall’s life with poignant stories, anecdotes, and traditions woven throughout. From the most basic staples of Māori cuisine to easy whānau favourites, this is a book suited to the everyday cook.

Publishing 17 October 2022 (was 7 November 2022)
Format: 260 x 210mm
304 pages, full colour, woodfree paper, hardback