Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'

Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways

- Fleur Guthrie

If Waikato “foodie friends” Andrea Clark and Mark McConnell have learned one thing, it’s that throwaway comments can land you on television.

One night, while their two young families were over at Mark’s house preparing dinner together, Andrea quipped, “It’s like we’re cooking on My Kitchen Rules!”

That was the catalyst for Linda, 42, Mark’s wife, to say, “Oh, you guys should actually do that!” and began looking online for applications to the show.

“She saw applications for MKR’s new season closed in two days,” continues Andrea, 36. “She quickly sent the forms, and we filled them out and sent in photos. A producer called the next day and came down to see us in Taupiri the day after. It was a whirlwind!”

“If Linda hadn’t applied for us, we probably wouldn’t have,” muses Mark, 50. “We call her our ‘hype girl’ because she always loves everything we cook – and she’ll tell you she’s definitely not a chef.”

With six children and three businesses between them, life is hectic for the Taupiri and Puketaha-based mates and their spouses.

They met five years ago through their children’s school and started getting together regularly to socialise over dinner with other families.