Age: 30

State: NSW

Occupation: Former Nurse

Growing up in a busy family of five with two older brothers, Londoner Lily Davies has long been drawn to food, some might say obsessed!

Lily’s Mum Jo was a chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu, becoming one of the youngest ever to teach there back in the day, aged 18. Spending time in the kitchen with her Mum bonded the pair inextricably, with a deep love of food igniting a shared passion.

Following university, Lily worked as a pediatric nurse, a career that has seen her care for children and families both in the UK and Australia through their toughest moments. She spent many years in fast-paced, high-pressure environments before it was time for a change.

This go-getter with a huge heart is now in a new phase of her career, in the health tech space, where she continues to make a difference from another corner of the industry. The shift means that she can indulge her passion for the kitchen more, fulfilling her longstanding desire to make people feel good through food.

Having relocated to Sydney in 2019, Lily loved it so much that she stayed, meeting her partner Nick here too. Not one to forget her British roots, Lily is inspired by English chefs and icons including Jamie Oliver, Clare Smyth, Mary Berry, Julius Roberts and Thomas Straker.

Widely travelled, Lily has sampled cuisines the world over, from Kenya, Borneo, Cuba, Central America, Japan, China, America, and of course, Europe, which have all broadened her palette.

An intuitive cook, Lily’s signature style is homely, hearty food, made with love. She is confident in balancing flavours and has a knack for bringing ingredients together.

A perfectionist and challenge-seeker with a love of learning, Lily hopes to be like a swan up top in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, and a duck paddling furiously under the water. She knows this experience will push her outside her comfort zone, but she’s here to feel the fear, and do it anyway.

Lily would love to one day run her own casual deli-style eatery, with relaxed wine bar vibes, bringing people together over good food and drink.