Age: 39

State: Victoria

Instagram: @samiraelkhafir 

Previous season & place: Season 5, placed 3rd

For Samira El Khafir, the time is right to renew her cooking groove and show Australia that she is Back To Win. After finishing third in season five of MasterChef Australia, Samira changed the course of her life, throwing herself headfirst into a culinary career that has been as varied as it has been successful.

In the 12 years since she last cooked in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, the former hairdresser and telecommunications worker has juggled her new path in food with raising her young family, now proud mum to two daughters and two sons. Role modelling to her kids the importance of chasing your dreams, Samira has gone after hers with an undeniable passion and determination to succeed.

With her previous MasterChef Australia experience fuelling both her skill and confidence, Samira has launched a number of businesses in the food industry, the first of which was her own café, Modern Middle Eastern, where she curated authentic menus, full of flavour. Samira also staged six-course Arabian Nights private fine dining events before launching her own low-carb product range, called Eat With Love, which shipped Australia-wide. In 2014, she also published a book of the same name, showcasing her modern take on traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.

A self-taught cook inspired by her own mum in the kitchen, food has always formed a huge part of how Samira fosters her strong connection to community.  In recent years, she has focussed her energy on recipe development and menu writing, working alongside varied brands and manufacturers. With her children now a little older, Samira feels ready to put herself out there on MasterChef Australia once again and see where this adventure might lead.

With her competitive spirit destined to propel her through the competition, Samira takes inspiration from her travels and plans to call on flavours from across the Middle East, and beyond. An organised cook who can think on her feet, Samira hopes to explore opportunities in food tourism, ready to showcase the amazing flavours that both Australia and the Middle East have to offer.