Jake Bujayer
Cement renderer (NSW)
AGE: 29
HOME TOWN: CENTRAL COAST, NSW (GREW UP IN NEW ZEALAND)
MARITAL STATUS: IN A RELATIONSHIP
COOKING STYLE: SEAFOOD
Jake might love to cook, but for him the real thrill is in the catch. Out on the open water, beer in hand, this is the place where this fishing enthusiast feels most at home. “I’m pretty obsessed with fishing and I’ve had some great catches,” Jake says. “From snapper to kingfish, I like to get out onto the water and catch something at least once a week. I’d say I’m addicted to seafood.”
A cement renderer by trade, Jake has had his own business for the past few years, but despite his passion being food, he never would have thought to apply for MasterChef Australia. With modest tastes, and totally settled in his life on NSW’s Central Coast, cooking was a hobby that developed hand- in-hand with his love of fishing. Never did he think it could become a career. “My girlfriend’s mum suggested that I apply for the show and then my girlfriend filled out the application for me,” he says. “I love food shows and watched MasterChef last year as well as the English version, but didn’t really think about giving it a go. “I’m a bit worried about being in this competition and all the things I’ll have to try and make, although I do like to try new things. I do a lot of seafood, Italian and Asian and I had a Greek girlfriend for four years so have picked up a lot from her.”
Having been with his girlfriend for the past two years, Jake does all the cooking at home. While she is excited about him competing in the show, Jake knows it’s a big ask to be away from his relationship. “My girlfriend was a bit nervous about me coming here,” he explains. “She’s a bit scared about the whole thing. I tell her about the long, hard days that I’ve been doing here in the kitchen but she doesn’t believe me – she says I’ve always moaned about that!”
With his trademark honesty, Jake confesses he’s unsure on what exactly is his MasterChef dream. “I’m not sure what I want to get out of the show,” he sighs. “I don’t want fame, I wanted to get out of the life that I’m in. I want to get into the food industry. I’ve done plastering for long enough. It’s physically demanding, and while being in the kitchen is the same, I love it.”
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