In January 2021, Ashley Baxter and her husband Rangihoro Walker opened Kai Cuisine, a name blending the Reo Māori word for "food" and the Tagalog word for "to eat" in tribute to the couple's combined heritage. Known for their striking pasta shapes and specialty, made-to-order flavors, Kai quickly became an Instagram sensation and earned a loyal following among local chefs and home cooks alike. Most of their vegan-friendly pasta is crafted from just three quality ingredients: semolina flour, water, and Hawaiian sea salt.