Victoria, 28, Lawyer

With both Italian and Sri Lankan heritage, lawyer Elise Pulbrook cemented her place in the MasterChef kitchen after securing one of the final aprons of the competition, with a bold and nostalgic seafood dish.

For Elise it’s all about cooking for family. Supported at home by boyfriend Adam and their dog Tibby, Elise credits her nonna as one of her greatest influences. She remembers waking as a toddler to find her mother, nonna and greatgrandmother making coloured fettuccini, and being desperate to take part as she watched the strands dry out on multiple clothes racks.

Inspired by a school trip to Japan at the age of 14, Elise has since returned three times and considers the country a second home.

Elise loves to travel and cites food idols including New York’s famed Dan Barber of Blue Hill, Beatrix Bakes’ Natalie Paull, and MasterChef Australia alumni Marion Grasby. Elise admits she’d die happy if given the opportunity to meet Nigella Lawson, crediting her language and immense passion for food as a constant inspiration.

Elise is hoping to thrive in team challenges and is confident in her ability to cook under time pressure for large groups. Elise also boasts strengths in breaking down meat and preparing delicious curries, roasts and braises.

Now working as a lawyer after completing her postgraduate law degree at the University of Melbourne, Elise hopes to one day own a sustainable property in Gippsland with a farm to table restaurant.