Age: 34

State: Victoria

Occupation: Landscape Gardener

Working in landscape design for 10 years, former small business owner and hardworking single dad, Lachlan Whittle, is ready to chase his dreams.

Doting dad to two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Lily, Lochy is motivated to make his mark on the competition for his little girl, to leave a legacy that makes her proud.

Seizing this chance has taken on a whole new meaning for Lochy, who sadly lost his Mum Jan to cancer late last year. For many years, Jan also suffered from degenerative brain condition Huntington’s Disease. As a genetic disorder, Lochy learnt in recent years that he too suffers from the condition.

Far from self-pity, Lochy has drawn from his situation a determination to live life to the fullest, working hard to stave off the on-set of symptoms, with cooking taking on a renewed significance.

Thinking constantly about food, Lochy wants his life to revolve around it, with an intent to soak up knowledge, and learn from the judges and guest chefs to take his cooking to the highest level.

Having learnt to cook over fire on holidays by the beach growing up, Lochy’s Dad Gary is a great home cook who taught him and fostered his love of cooking. Lochy knows his strength in the competition will be his ability to balance sweet, sour, fat and acid.

Inspired by his travels, including trips to Europe, Vietnam and Mexico and his time spent living in London, Charleston and Detroit, Lochy loves recreating big flavours at home, street tacos are a fave, like a flavour bomb going off in your mouth!

Motivated by cooking shows and YouTube, Lochy also has a collection of around 40 cookbooks, and looks up to an eclectic mix of chefs including Anthony Bourdain, Matty Matheson, Charlie Carrington and Lennox Hastie.

An easy-going character in and out of the kitchen, Lochy will treat the competition as he treats life, living with no regrets and always looking for the silver lining.

His dream is to open a restaurant that speaks to his love of botany, with a kitchen garden in an indoor/outdoor jungle and a constantly rotating menu.