Matraville business owner competes on popular TV show, MKR

Matraville business owner Veronica Cristovao has ventured into the world of reality television, competing on My Kitchen Rulesalongside her best friend and fellow beauty queen Piper O’Neill.

MKR 2019 contestants Veronica Cristovao and Piper O'Neill

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Matraville business owner Veronica Cristovao has ventured into the world of reality television.

She is competing on My Kitchen Rules alongside best friend and fellow beauty queen Piper O’Neill.

Cristovao, who lives at Darling Point and runs children’s clothing store Diamond Kidz on Bunnerong Rd in Matraville, said she was up for a challenge after spending two decades working in retail and sales.

MKR contestants Veronica Cristovao, who owns a children’s clothing store in Matraville, and her teammate and fellow beauty queen Piper O'Neill. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“I love customers and talking to people, but it’s very different to reality TV. You’re under a time frame. It’s not just one customer at a time, you’re dealing with 16 people in the same room,” she said.

Cristovao opened Diamond Kidz after her doctor suggested she pursue “something she loved”, she said, to help her overcome postnatal depression after the birth of her third child.

Cristovao said she joined My Kitchen Rules to reignite her love of cooking.

“Being a busy mum and having a business, sometimes we don’t make enough time for food, and I think I’ve got that back,” she said.

Veronica Cristovao was crowned Mrs Australia International in 2012.

Cristovao and O’Neill were also both crowned Mrs Australia International in 2012 and 2015 respectively, a feat which Cristovao said prepared them for the criticism that comes along with reality television, where “not everyone gets along”.

“I think being a beauty queen has helped in regards of … being judged a lot — not just on the outside but also what’s on the inside,” she said.

“I think we’ve just got a tougher skin, and on MKR you need a tough skin.”

In the next two weeks the pair will cook and compete against seven other teams from group two.

The duo have also already shown they aren’t afraid to voice their opinion, questioning “perfect strangers” Milly and Karolina.

Cristovao enjoys experimenting with new flavours and said her signature dishes were spaghetti bolognese, paella and crepes.

The MKR contestant hopes her experience will inspire her children to pursue their dreams.

Cristovao said her eldest son and daughter are keen on a career in the performing arts and dance, while her youngest daughter was “open to trying anything in the food world” and might one day become a food critic.

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My Kitchen Rules airs tonight, 7.00pm on Seven. The show also airs Sunday 7pm and Monday to Wednesday 7.30pm on Seven.