Ricki-Mae Paisley and Jessie Smulders Christchurch couple Ricki-Mae Paisley and Jessie Smulders nabbed the first ten in My Kitchen Rules New Zealand so far, making it through a nervous night to go into second place in their instant restaurant round. The pair, who revealed they are a couple in an earlier episode, met at McDonald’s and initially disliked each other. "She was the hugest pain in my arse," Jessie has explained. "We just fell for each other and, surprise!" Ricki added. They have been together for more than two years. Ricki shared how she sends flowers to Jessie on the 10th of every month, for their anniversary. "No guy would do that," Jessie said, with Ricki adding “nah, boom. Take notes boys.” The couple has told Woman's Day they genuinely believe that you can’t help who you fall in love with. They also told the magazine they would eventually like to marry and have a family. They’ve been billed as the “Christchurch Cuties” in the competition, which gives every pair a nickname. Last night they hosted an at home ‘instant restaurant’ where they received a 10 for their ravioli entree from judge and pasta maestro Ben Bayly. After struggling with the salmon in their main and offering a chocolate dessert which wasn’t molten in the centre as they’d hoped, they finished with 70 points and in second place after three teams have cooked. It was a pressured and emotional night for the pair, who affectionately supported and gently mocked each other through the competition stress. The public reaction to their revelation they are a couple has been welcoming, markedly different to the speculation and homophobia in regards to ‘social media buddies’ Sam Sutherland and Dan Freeman earlier in the first round of the competition. Sutherland and Freeman are not a couple - as repeatedly suggested by other teams and people all over social media. Sutherland is gay, but single, while Freeman has a girlfriend. You can watch Jessie and Ricki cook here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 10th September 2014 - 8:35am