VERONICA & SHADI: 'OUR KITCHEN'S NOW RULED BY KIDS'

THE ORIGINAL MKR WINNERS HAVE COOKED UP A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY TOGETHER

- Glen Williams

Home cooks Veronica and Shadi Abraham had no idea they were about to become instant celebrities, let alone pioneers of what would become a television phenomenon, when they successfully auditioned for a new reality show called My Kitchen Rules.

It was 2010, and the unassuming Brisbane couple had two big dreams: firstly, to have kids in "abundance", and secondly, to own a restaurant or a cafe together.

Both came true in equal measures. After winning MKR, Veronica and Shadi opened the successful Ave Cucina & Coffee Bar in Coorparoo, Queensland. Meanwhile, parenthood saw them cooking up a storm with the safe arrival of four beautiful children.

"It's hard to believe it was 12 years ago," a high-spirited Veronica tells New Idea when we drop by for a catch-up. "We had no idea MKR would go on to be so huge.

"I feel like we were the guinea pigs, and thankfully it worked. It's pretty cool knowing we were there at the start of this phenomenon."

Veronica and Shadi admit they weren't quite prepared for becoming instant television stars and fan favourites.

"It was very surreal," Veronica laughs. "It was very odd for Shadi and I who don't really love the limelight. Yes, of course it was cool being on TV, but it was never our driving force to be famous, that was never important.