My first book, Kai: Food stories and recipes from my family table, was dedicated to my nana, Polly Beadle, and my late brother, Jacob Rata. It was inspired by our family’s life of kai, and was a deeply personal story. Kai Feast is a continuation of this food story, but with a focus on manaakitanga – hospitality and generosity, and whanaungatanga – the importance of gathering and sharing kai with loved ones. I dedicate this book to my ‘train mad’ grandad, Don Beadle – Don the teacher, taxi driver and friend to all. Nana and Grandad were the absolute epitome of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. I will delve into the heart of my family storehouse of kai, exploring the ingredients, cooking, stories and customs of my whānau, many of which have been passed down through the generations and have shaped the way in which we now prepare and share kai. Each dish and ingredient carries with it a sense of belonging, and each recipe carries a story that firmly cements its place in our pātaka kai – our kai storehouse.

Kai Feast serves up an abundance of good, hearty kai, classic Aotearoa dishes and modern takes on traditional meals and treats, dishes that evoke food memories and flavours, as well as simple everyday dishes that can help to make celebrating and gathering memorable and enjoyable. Whether you’re having a small (or large) gathering at home, a picnic or barbecue at the park, or a festive feast with a hāngī, this book is all about catering for a crowd.

So pull up a chair and join me. Nau mai, whakatau mai. Come and have a seat at the table. I invite you to explore the flavours that have shaped our way of kai. Let’s celebrate coming together and sharing heart-warming stories and delicious food in this book deeply rooted in abundance and hospitality.