The latest season of the reality cooking competition My Kitchen Rules (MKR) is set to premiere on September 1, 2025, and one mother-daughter team is ready to showcase their unique culinary heritage. Anne Ioannou, 66, and her daughter Maree, 42, will compete with a collection of family recipes that have been handed down through generations, aiming for the grand prize of $100,000.
Traditional Recipes and Family Legacy
Anne and Maree’s journey on MKR is deeply personal. They will bring a hand-written cookbook filled with cherished family recipes from Anne’s late mother, affectionately known as “Yia Yia,” which means grandmother in Greek. Anne described the cookbook as a treasure, stating, “You can still see her little fingerprints on all the pages.” This emotional connection to their heritage fuels their passion as they prepare to impress judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge.
While other teams will focus on elaborate a la carte dishes, Anne noted that their family meals are abundant. “Remember we’re Greek, so on our plates there’s a lot of food,” she explained, contrasting their generous servings with the smaller portions seen in the competition. Despite the challenges of adapting to a competitive cooking environment, Anne expressed excitement about the diverse flavors and culinary styles showcased by other contestants.
Facing the Heat of Competition
Participating in MKR has not come without its challenges. Both Anne and Maree acknowledged the intense pressure of cooking in high temperatures, stating that they experienced sweat, tears, and even some cooking mishaps, such as charred octopus. Maree emphasized the authenticity of their experience: “Honestly, what you see is the real deal, the sweat, the tears, the heat, everything is just as is.” The pair was determined to present themselves genuinely, without the assistance of makeup teams or scripted moments.
After two previous unsuccessful attempts to join the show, their participation this year is a culmination of hard work and personal commitment. Tragically, Yia Yia passed away before she could witness her family’s journey on the small screen, but both Anne and Maree believe she would be proud of their efforts. They hope to honor her legacy by sharing her recipes with a wider audience.
The duo’s ultimate goal is to publish Yia Yia’s recipes, showcasing the joy and love that family meals bring. As Anne put it, “Food on the table, family together, sharing: it’s just love.” Maree echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the idea that food fosters connections and brings people together.
With the competition heating up, only the best teams will advance to the Kitchen HQ, where one pair will emerge as champions of MKR. The new season promises to deliver excitement and culinary creativity, and audiences will have the chance to see how Anne and Maree fare on their quest for victory.
My Kitchen Rules premieres at 19:30 on September 1 on the Seven Network and will also be available on 7plus.
