TEN's blog

Top 24
Uni Student

State: VIC

Age: 18

Philosophical and easy going, Matt has been cooking since he can remember – his first memory is making an apple crumble with his Nan – and much of his childhood was spent marinating meat and barbecuing with his Dad or flipping pancakes with his Mum.

Being this year’s youngest contestant hasn’t deterred him. “I think I have what it takes.”

Currently studying Arts and Commerce at University, Matt works at a fast food restaurant in his spare time and is their youngest team leader.

He says his time management is “like a sixth sense” which he hopes will help him in the competition – alongside his knife skills and confidence with cooking meat and roasts. Continue reading »

Top 24
Account Manager

State: NSW

Age: 41

Born in Singapore to a Singaporean mother and Indian father, mum of two Audra grew up living and breathing food. With a huge extended family, there were always lots of people to be fed – and lots of great cooks.

Her first memories of cooking are as a young teenager, baking biscuits, but when she first moved overseas to study in New Zealand – and was homesick for Asian food – she started making her Mum’s chicken curry.

“I was awfully deprived of good Asian food so I started to dabble in re-creating it myself.”

It is her Mum that she cites as being her biggest food hero but also her biggest critic. “I want to make my Mum proud – I am living her dream too.” Continue reading »

Top 24
Automotive Detailer

State: VIC

Age: 40

Mario is an automotive detailer who dreams of his own intimate café or restaurant where he can emulate his father’s recipes.

His father is Slovenian and mother was born in Croatia.

Mario’s first cooking experience was making biscuits in Home Economics Class – he remembers being incredibly proud to bring them home to his Mum.

Married for 12 years, Mario says there is nothing better than sharing your life with your best friend. Together they love to eat out and try different types of food and cooking styles – although he says a good old fashioned barbecue or grill can’t be beaten. Continue reading »

Top 24
Masters Student

State: NSW

Age: 24

Kylie’s interest and passion for food were brought on by her nanna – who was her biggest influence, always keeping the family entertained with her cooking. It was this enthusiasm that inspired Kylie – they would bake biscuits, cakes and sweet treats during the school holidays.

“We would make homemade Sherry chocolates, but more ended up in our mouths than being made. Nanna would let us lick the bowl and she drank the Sherry as we were making them, getting progressively ‘merrier’.”

Whilst having to complete 15 weeks straight of full-time practical work for her Physiotherapy studies, Kylie realised that she did not have the passion to work in the health industry. She ‘escaped’ by cooking every Sunday morning – homemade crumpets, eggs and hollandaise, different flavoured pancakes. Continue reading »

Top 24
Construction Worker

State: VIC

Age: 27

A construction worker who up until now has laid water and gas mains for a living, Beau is ready to change his life.

“I want a career doing something I love.”

Beau grew up in a busy household and as a fussy eater his Mum told him he had to learn to cook himself, if he didn’t like what she was making. Cooking runs in Beau’s blood, his sister is a chef.

Inspired by fresh produce – Beau has his own vegetable garden – he hopes to one day supply organic vegetables to restaurants in his local area. Continue reading »

Top 24
Law Student

State: VIC

Age: 22

TK is a law student and the daughter of refugees who escaped the Vietnam War to come to Australia.

As a child TK was always immersed in food and cooking.

“Dad is amazing with the flaming wok and Mum does the best Vietnamese comfort foods.”

But her own love for being in the kitchen only developed recently – and mostly, she says, it was inspired by watching MasterChef.

TK’s first dish was Roast Duck Breast with an Orange Sauce. These days she is proficient in all things Asian Fusion – and duck remains her signature dish. She says is terrified of pastry and struggles to follow recipes that don’t have pictures. She also cites her inexperience as a weakness. Continue reading »

Top 24
Social Worker

State: VIC

Age: 25

Social worker Tregan has many memories of food during her childhood but the one that stands out is the time she would spend at the food market when her parents ran a pet shop there.

“I would help the guys run their stalls by chopping up the produce!”

She also remembers baking with her Grandmother and making pasta with her Aunty – Tregan’s Maltese background has had a big influence on her cooking – her signature dish is a Maltese Ravioli with a tomato sauce.

“Food is the centre of life and family for us.”

Tregan started to become serious about food whilst living abroad – a time when she wasn’t very happy. Continue reading »

Top 24
Financial Planner

State: QLD

Age: 38

A father of two, Filippo comes from an Italian background and is a very proud family man. He talks on the phone to his Mum every day.

“I’m very confident, an extrovert – I’m very good at talking to people and have a 100% strike rate!”

Food is very much a social thing in Filippo’s family – “Italians talk about what they’re having for dinner tomorrow night, when at breakfast!”

One of his earliest food memories is in Sicily with lemons the size of footballs.

“We would eat the lemons with vinegar and salt.” Continue reading »

Top 24
Public Servant

State: NSW

Age: 35

Dalvinder was born in Singapore and moved out of home to get married at the age of 21- the marriage was arranged – and 14 years later, Dalvinder couldn’t be happier. She is a loving and proud mother to her three children and her mother-in-law still lives with them.

“I’m very energetic, never say no to anything and always like to try something new. I’m motivated and I like challenges. Having three children has made me stronger and a more confident woman.”

It wasn’t until Dalvinder was married that she started to cook. Mostly it was her parents that influenced her cooking style, they made sure that food was the main priority bringing everyone together. Continue reading »

Top 24
Apprentice Electrician

State: NSW

Age: 23

Andy’s current job as an apprentice electrician does not inspire him like food does. He is at a cross roads in his career and hopes that MasterChef will help to give him a new sense of direction.

“I don’t want to continue being an electrician, I am in love with all things food.”

Incredibly close to his family, Andy lives at home with his mum and dad – neither of whom he says are great in the kitchen – so he does most of the cooking.

Andy says he taught himself to cook through hours spent watching the food channel but most of his earliest food memories involve fishing with his family and cooking up the catch! Continue reading »