This article is part of our Supplier Stories series, where we share the people and stories behind the products in our gift boxes.
Marlaina Curtis is a TV presenter turned spice maker, and her New Plymouth brand, MK Spice, they’re rather nice, was born live on camera. Today it’s an award winning range grown from grassroots Taranaki, and one of the producers we’re proudest to feature in our Tasty Taranaki Gift Box.
Born Out of Necessity, Live on Set
Marlaina was filming her cooking show, Marlaina’s Kitchen: Food in a Flash, when she ran out of shop bought spices and improvised a blend on the spot. That quick fix became Mild Madness, then Hellishly Hot, and her son Jazz encouraged her to take it further and share it with as many people as possible.
Her food journey began much earlier. At 14, a trip to Jamaica introduced her to spices and seasonings she had never come across, and that early exposure still shapes how she builds flavour today.
I take combining flavours seriously, however I do try to keep it simple.
One Maker, a Whole Whānau Behind Her
MK Spice is Marlaina’s business, and she runs it herself. The mild jerk that forms the base of her flavours is made to her own recipe by Sids Sauces and Oils, a fellow maker in our Tasty Taranaki Gift Box. Olena Williams Media looks after her marketing and social media. When orders top 800, which is huge for an artisan producer, it becomes a whānau affair. Her daughter Sigourney, son Jazz and husband Greg roll up their sleeves and get the job done.
Marlaina is quick to thank the friends she now counts as whānau, especially for their support in the early days, along with Venture Taranaki, the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and Bartercard New Plymouth. MK Spice gives back in return, supporting many local community groups.
Award Winning, From Taranaki to the UK
Every MK Spice blend is made in Aotearoa without fillers or flavour enhancers. We stock three of them, Choice Chicken Jerk Seasoning, Bad Ass Jerk Chilli Seasoning and her Season All Salt, which blends Himalayan rock salt with aromatic spices, a hint of chilli and a smattering of lemon. MK Spice has picked up three silvers and a bronze at the NZ Artisan Awards. In 2026 the recognition went international, with UK publisher A1 Global Media naming MK Spice Best Artisan Spice and Seasoning Brand 2026 for New Zealand, and its Peppery Pickled Pepper Jerk Rub of the Year.
I’m also exceedingly proud to be an award winning Aotearoa spice provider, grown from true grass roots Taranaki, New Plymouth.
A Partnership That Goes Both Ways
MK Spice’s website carries a note from our team, and we’re happy to say it again here.
She’s always great to deal with and most importantly had great feedback from our customers about the product.
The feeling is mutual. When Marlaina thanks the people and businesses who helped her along the way, she includes us.
I honour them all and thank them from the bottom of my heart, especially We Love Local.
Taranaki, In Every Box
- Region Taranaki
- Location New Plymouth
- Products we stock Choice Chicken Jerk Seasoning, Season All Salt, Bad Ass Jerk Chilli Seasoning
- Find it in Tasty Taranaki Gift Box
Every We Love Local gift box also includes a 1% donation through the One Percent Collective, which supports charities across Aotearoa.
You’ll find MK Spice in our Tasty Taranaki Gift Box, alongside fellow Taranaki makers Malva Chocolate, Treasured Morning and Theory Food. If you’re looking for a corporate gift with a story that started on television, this is the kind of spice that earns its place in the box.
