Here are the top 24 in Master Chef Australia and their bio....enjoy!!!
The Home Cooks – The Top 24!
STEVEN PEH
Age: 20
State: Western Australia
Occupation: Commerce Student
Working
as a waiter at Nobu, Perth, Steven has seen some of the finest cuisine on
offer. It’s a role that has made him realise that his skill and passion for
food needs to be harnessed in the kitchen itself.
The
Aussie lifestyle and his Chinese-Malaysian background ensured that Steven was
exposed to the best of both worlds in terms of food and culture growing up. “I feel as though food is my calling.”
Nominating
his food heroes as Peter Gilmore, Heston Blumenthal and Nobu Matsuhisa, Steven
would also relish the chance to cook alongside Marco Pierre White, with his
drill sergeant style.
EMILY LOO
Age: 31
State: Queensland
Occupation: Resort Sales Coordinator
Emily
Loo is known as the Spice Queen among family and friends and celebrated for her
signature dish, Sarawak Laksa. Born in Borneo, Emily is the youngest child of
Pauline, a former primary school teacher and retired aircraft engineer James,
with siblings Elizabeth, 41, and Ernest, 40.
Her Malaysian-Chinese heritage brings with it plenty
of flavour and Emily’s well-honed spice appreciation. “There’s nothing more
satisfying than sharing my passion and love towards food with everyone.” Naming
her food idols as Donovan Cooke, Adriano Zumbo, Maggie Beer and Heston
Blumenthal, Emily also
looks up to chef and MasterChef Australia guest mentor Kylie Kwong. “She’s amazing, she’s what I aspire to.”
TASH SHAN
Age: 27
State: ACT
Occupation: Social Media Manager
Canberra-based
Tash Shan comes to the MasterChef Australia kitchen with the weight of the
nation’s capital on her shoulders. For five years she’s watched on, impatiently
awaiting citizenship to finally live her dream of cooking in Australia’s most
famous kitchen.
Dubbing
her cooking style as classics with a little twist, Tash’s food has a strong
Asian influence and her favourite thing to cook is dessert. “I’ve never met
anyone who doesn’t like dessert,” she says “and even if I did, I’m not sure I’d
trust them.”
AMY
SHIELDS
Age: 37
State: Western Australia
Occupation: Learning Systems Admin
Born in Johannesburg, Amy moved to
Perth with her family aged 24 as her dad, now passed on, was Australian.
Amy describes her cooking style as
homely and nurturing, with a focus on flavour. With aspirations to write a
best-selling cookbook, Amy wants to make foo accessible to people. She’d love
to run cooking classes to inspire home cooks with simple flavours and
ingredients. "I’d love to search the world for amazing recipes, found in
countries that are often overlooked," says Amy. “It’s time.”
BEN
MACDONALD
Age: 36
State: Queensland
Occupation: IT Systems Consultant
Ben grew up two hours north of Auckland in Whangarei, New Zealand.
“One of the reasons I love to cook so much is it makes me think about
good times with Dad – my passion for food is one that he instilled in me.”
It was while living in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2002 that Ben confronted
one of the biggest challenges of his life. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukaemia, Ben spent six months in and out of hospital, followed by a further
three years of treatment. Now in remission for more than 10 years, the illness
was a turning point in his life, proving his resilience and tenacity.
Ben’s love of food intensified as he indulged his love of travel from
his UK base. He clocked up visits to almost 100 countries, including India,
Thailand, Morocco, Egypt, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Japan, Costa Rica and more.
Along the way he enjoyed street food, fine dining and everything between.
BRENDAN LANGFIELD
Age: 26
State: Queensland
Occupation: Retail Manager
Brisbane-based Retail Manager Brendan Langfield knows a thing or two
about being in the limelight. Having spent a good deal of his life behind a
bass guitar in pop-rock band Finabah, it’s now time to don an apron in the
MasterChef Australia kitchen.
Brendan credits his dad, Michael, with inspiring in him a love of
cooking that stretches back to childhood. “Food is what brings us together and
always will,” says Brendan. He cites his food hero Anthony Bourdain’s book
Kitchen Confidential as a big inspiration in getting serious about food and
confesses he’s now looking for the thing to commit to in his life, ready to
give it his all.
BRENT
OWENS
Age: 24
State: Victoria
Occupation: Bobcat
Driver
Most days, this fiercely independent, hard-working young man can be
found behind the wheel of a bobcat, but increasingly, his mind is elsewhere,
dreaming up menus.
A completely self-taught cook, Brent became interested in cooking at age
16. Watching countless cooking shows, Brent realised his true passion for
cooking and, along with lots of practice in the kitchen, he has continued to
draw inspiration from watching his culinary heroes on screen.
“I’m often told by people ‘it would be impossible for anyone to love
food as much as you’, but I want to see if I can really cook and if my food is
good. I’ve never had professional criticism and I’m ready for it.”
BYRON
FINNERTY
Age: 27
State: Victoria
Occupation: Deckhand
Turning his back on the high life and the high seas, Byron Finnerty is
ready to take his place in the MasterChef Australia kitchen.
Byron has spent the past two years travelling the world as a deckhand on
the super yacht Odessa. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Red Hot Chilli
Peppers and Owen Wilson, Byron couldn’t deny his love of food any longer,
giving it all away to take his place in the top 24. His dream is to cook
alongside Ferran Adria from the legendary elBulli. “Once I know what I want,
I’ll do everything it takes to achieve that dream”.
COLIN SHEPPARD
Age: 51
State: South
Australia
Occupation:
Winemaker
A successful builder in Melbourne, Colin and wife Fiona were regular
visitors to South Australia’s beautiful wine regions. Always intrigued by the
art of wine-making, Colin volunteered for four weeks at Murray Street Wines in
the Barossa. It sealed his fate.
He now makes wine under his own label, winning coveted awards; his 2008
Shiraz was voted seventh best in the world by Winestate magazine.
Colin yearns to combine his skill and passion for wine with that of
food. Colin would love to open a restaurant at Flaxman Wines. While there’s
already a pizza oven, he wants to take the next step. “I want to showcase the
wonderful produce and wines of the Barossa.”
DEEPALI BEHAR
Age: 30
State: Western Australia
Occupation:
Dentist
A dentist by trade, Deepali once had a research project published in the
respected European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. Although she loves what she
does, she’s now ready to lay it all on the line to vie for the title of
Australia’s MasterChef.
A fan of the Western Australian climate and lifestyle, the only thing
missing for Deepali is authentic Indian cuisine. After moving to Australia,
Deepali became serious about her cooking. It was a way to recreate her mum's
much-loved home-cooked flavours.
“You’ve got to cook with love, if you are in a bad mood, it won’t taste
the same.”
EMELIA JACKSON
Age: 24
State: Victoria
Occupation:
Marketing Coordinator
This competitive, confident Marketing Coordinator from Templestowe,
Victoria, is ready to win.
Emelia – aka the Dessert Queen, famed for her panna cottas – was
encouraged in the kitchen from an early age. She remembers watching and
learning from both her mum and baba. She would also get her hands dirty to
help, kneading doughs and baking treats.
Describing herself as crafty and capable, Emelia sees MasterChef
Australia as her chance to refine and extend her natural skills.
GEORGIA HUGHES
Age: 18
State: South
Australia
Occupation:
Physiotherapy Student
Georgia Hughes has laid her future on the line to take up her place in
the MasterChef Australia kitchen.
Part-time work serving customers at Adelaide chocolatier Steven ter
Horst has helped focus Georgia’s love of chocolate and patisserie. While she
has always loved watching MasterChef Australia, she considers her selection
into the competition as fate.
Georgia looks up to a variety of big name chefs for inspiration. Jamie
Oliver is her savoury food idol, while Adriano Zumbo would be her sweet idol
for his masterpieces and for being like a “real life Willy Wonka”.
JAMIE FLEMING
Age: 25
State: NSW
Occupation:
Bartender
This young dad has his eye on the prize and creating a solid future for
his family. Jamie says he decided he wanted to be a chef at age six, mesmerised
by the kitchen prep in a family friend’s restaurant. Jamie fell into bar
tending, which he’s done for eight years - seriously for four - as he has
worked his way up.
His food heroes include David Chang, Jamie Oliver, Thomas Keller and
Luke Nguyen. Eating at Momofuku and Tetsuya’s changed the way Jamie looked at
dining.
KIRA WESTWICK
Age: 31
State: Queensland
Occupation:
Nutritional Coach
At 31, Kira Westwick is not only a busy mum of two, but an accomplished
businesswoman. She runs two health and fitness studios on the Gold Coast with
husband Adam.
Kira suffered chronic fatigue in her early 20s.
Although debilitating, she credits the illness as the catalyst for changing her
lifestyle. Eating foods that would help her heal led to a career change from
teaching into health and fitness. My
passion is to create food that nourishes the body, mind and soul in unity. None
of these should be neglected or separated when it comes to food.”
Kira’s food idols include wholefood pioneers Cynthia Louise, Matt Stone,
Stephanie Alexander, Jude Blereau, David Wolfe and Lola Berry. She also admires
Jamie Oliver, whose work with children reflects her own food philosophy.
LAURA CASSAI
Age: 18
State: South
Australia
Occupation: Health
Science Student
Seldom without a smile, Laura Cassai
lives, breathes and dreams food. Laura
says cooking is in her blood.
Laura names mum Anita as her number
one mentor. “She has taught me everything I know, she has supported me in
everything I have done and has shared a lifetime of knowledge.”
Laura’s food heroes include Jamie
Oliver, Donna Hay and Antonio Carluccio. A massive fan of Stephanie’s Kitchen
Garden Program, Laura hopes to become an ambassador.
NICK DOYLE
Age: 22
State: NSW
Occupation: Law
Student
At 193cm, Nick Doyle is a gentle giant.
Hailing from the tiny town of Gilgai, near Inverell in country NSW, this
boy from the bush grew up on 900 acres. Now he calls Newcastle home, where he’s
the first of his family to attend university.
Nick’s food heroes include Maggie Beer, Darren Purchese, Philippa Sibley
and Nigella Lawson. Along with MasterChef Australia’s own Gary Mehigan, all
offer Nick inspiration in the kitchen for both their skill and passion.
Over the past year Nick’s attitude to food has changed. Having dropped
an impressive 50 kilograms in eight months through diet and exercise, he
understands that food is about more than just taste.
NICOLE CLEAVE
Age: 55
State: Western
Australia
Occupation:
Inflight Manager
While Nicole Cleave might be the eldest contender in 2014’s MasterChef
Australia kitchen, this mum of four has as much get up and go as her younger
counterparts.
Recalling it as a light bulb moment, Nicole was enchanted during series
two of MasterChef Australia by Philippa Sibley’s take on a Snickers, the
caramel parfait glace dessert.
Nicole adores Asian cuisine and it’s a firm fixture within her
repertoire. Kylie Kwong is a chef she admires and respects, while Tetsuya
Wakuda is her ”total idol”.
RACHEL CIESIOLKA
Age: 45
Territory:
Northern Territory
Occupation: Data
Manager
After years of a transient lifestyle in the Defence Forces and the
challenges of family illness, it’s time for Darwin-based Rachael Ciesiolka, a
tough lady with a can-do attitude, to follow her dreams.
It was an unexpected threat to her husband’s health that provided the
family with its most confronting time. Tim suffered an angina attack at 36, a
stroke at 37 and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer at 38. A harrowing time
for Rachael, there was finally cause for celebration when, on his 40th
birthday, Tim was given the all clear.
“I want to prove to myself that I can do this, and to do something for
me,” says Rachel of her entry into MasterChef Australia. Rachael counts Rick
Stein and Maggie Beer as her food heroes, admiring their commitment to food
ethics and sustainability.
RENAE SMITH
Age: 30
State: NSW
Occupation: Brand
Developer
Renae Smith lives by these simple words: “If it doesn't make you happy
then don't do it.” Based in Newtown, Sydney, Renae grew up on the Central Coast
in a happy, albeit strict, Jehovah’s Witness family.
Looking up to Jamie Oliver (“his passion is just addictive”), Renae also
loves Martin Benn and Christine Manfield, admiring their creativity and the
fact they do what they do from such a place of passion and love.
“I don’t need accolades or fancy restaurants. I just want to do what
makes me happy: to cook for a good cause, give back and share my food.”
SAM GANT
Age: 26
State: Victoria
Occupation:
Kidswear Designer
From a close-knit family of five, fashion designer Sam Gant grew up on a
50-acre farm by the coast near Geelong, indulging both her love of the water
and the outdoors.
As much as she enjoys her work, Sam believes her love of food could be
more than just a hobby. She feels ready to push herself towards this new path,
one that has led her to the MasterChef Australia kitchen.
Sam’s cooking style is rustic, warm and spontaneous. She names Julia
Childs and Donna Hay among her food heroes.
SARAH TODD
Age: 27
State: Queensland
Occupation: Model
Fresh from traveling the world on glamorous modelling assignments, Sarah
Todd lands in the MasterChef Australia kitchen with a point to prove, and a new
future to create.
Sarah was signed by a modelling agency at 18 and moved to Sydney to
pursue her career. Modelling was an incredible career that gave her the
opportunity to discover different cultures and cuisines and in turn fuelled her
love of food.
“I have realised my passion and that I want to pursue it and create a
career in the food industry.” Sarah looks to an array of chefs for inspiration,
including Nobu Matsuhisa, Marcus Waering, Angela Hartnett, Neil Borthwick, Phil
Howard and Alla Wolf-Tasker.
SCOTT YEOMAN
Age: 32
State: South
Australia
Occupation:
Carpenter
Scott Yeoman quotes his dad when asked about his philosophy in the
MasterChef Australia kitchen: “You don’t know if you don’t try.”
A self-taught cook and a quick learner, Scott loves nothing more than
cooking for friends and housemates, trying out new recipes out on them. He also
admires Matt Stone’s organic cooking style and would one day love to work
alongside him.
“I really want to challenge myself and learn more about food,” says
Scott. “Nothing makes me happier than to hear that people love my food and want
to go back for more.”
SEAN BAXTER
Age: 31
State: Victoria
Occupation: Brand
Manager
The eldest of four kids growing up on cattle farm in Kilkivan,
Queensland, Sean learned to appreciate fresh produce from an early age.
Mixing all manner of drinks, Sean has had experience
with dry ice and liquid nitrogen and hopes to trial these techniques with his
food in the MasterChef Australia kitchen
Looking up to chefs including Andrew McConnell, Neil Perry, Adriano
Zumbo and Jamie Oliver, Sean says it was Jamie Oliver who taught him to cook. In
the meantime, this one-time stand up comic will continue to live by his motto:
“Eat every day. Eat special. Eat with love.”
TRACY COLLINS
Age: 38
State: South
Australia
Occupation:
Hairdresser
This mum of three from the Barossa is determined to live life with no
regrets and that includes pursuing her long-held food dream.
Cooking since she was eight years old, Tracy is self-taught. Not one to
shy away from a challenge, 2008 served up more than its fair share. Tracy faced
a lengthy battle with an undiagnosed virus and pleuritis, which affected her
heart and saw her bedridden for four months. There was a very real possibility
she might not survive and it took a year to recover fully.
“I no longer wish to live on the
periphery of the food industry," she says. "I am now willing to ‘just
do it’ and pursue my dreams.”
She says she looks up to the likes of David Thompson, Matt Wilkinson,
Andrew McConnell, Stephanie Alexander and, of course, Maggie Beer as her food
heroes.
dulu ada yang Malaysian.. perempuan.. lupa nama apa..
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