State: NSW

Age: 36

Occupation: Pharmacist

In 2003, when Yossra moved from Egypt to Sydney, she was thrilled by the multicultural melting pot of her new home. Inspired by the new cuisine options on offer, she broadened her skills in the kitchen, learning as she wandered the local stalls and markets.

Taking her inspiration from culinary idols Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver, Yossra would watch their shows and buy their cookbooks, trying new recipes in the kitchen at the end of her day working as a pharmacist.

It was a long way from home for the mother of two, who was born and raised in Egypt with stints living in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as a child.

The middle of three children, Yossra studied Pharmacy at Suez Canal University in eastern Egypt, graduating in 2003 when, together with her husband, she made the move to Sydney.

A year later, their daughter Labiba was born, and six years later they welcomed son Malek.

Inspired by her culture, Yossra likes to give her traditional recipes a twist, enjoying making stuffed vegetables and vine leaves. Admitting Middle Eastern cuisine is her comfort zone and clear strength in the MasterChef kitchen, she says her weakness may be balancing complex Asian flavours.

A self-described savoury cook, she enjoys exploring sweets and says her food dream is to open her own restaurant with dishes inspired by her culture but served in a modern away.

Outside of the kitchen she loves playing tennis, going to the gym, and recently started surfing off the beaches at Cronulla.