State: VIC

Age: 49

Occupation: Receptionist

When she’s not whipping up a beautiful curry in the kitchen, Tati loves to spend her downtime studying history and reading the latest best-selling thriller.

And she’s hoping her own MasterChef journey is just as thrilling, aiming to hold the coveted trophy high at the grand finale.

Born in a small town in Indonesia alongside three younger brothers, Tati graduated high school in 1987 before working in administration. She began working at the InterContinental hotel’s group in Jakarta in 1994, remaining in the industry until moving to Melbourne 14 years later with her husband, Mark.

Settling down in the picturesque village of Sassafras in the bushy and scenic Dandenong Ranges east of the city, Tati says she has spent her life cooking for friends and family.

Raised by her paternal grandparents, she grew up very close to her grandmother who she describes as a great traditional cook who taught Tati the intricate mild and sweet curries traditional to Java and Indonesia. Admitting Asian curries and cooking with intuition will be her strength in the MasterChef kitchen, she says following recipes are harder, and worries about desserts and feared Pressure Tests.

Tati says she’s trained herself to memorise recipes from those she admires, and hopes those skills learnt from her culinary idols, Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, will help her in the kitchen.

Supported at home by her husband and son, Angga, Tati hopes to one day host small Indonesian cooking classes in her home, before expanding to her own commercial kitchen.