Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Dan grew up with his parents and two sisters in the small country town and for as long as he can remember, he was always around his mum and grandma whenever they were cooking, and they have taught him most of what he knows today.

"My earliest memory is standing on a chair in my grandma's kitchen helping her make cakes. I'd cut out the shape of scones using the rim of a glass, that's where my love for cooking desserts and pastries was born."

Dan also cites Maggie Beer as a great inspiration, although his grandma is still his cooking idol.

"I used to watch The Cook And The Chef and Maggie Beer is one of my culinary idols, she has taught me a lot about cooking."

He also admires Adriano Zumbo and hopes to follow in his footsteps one day.

"My favourite place to eat isn't a restaurant, but Adriano Zumbo's patisserie. The way he combines different and eclectic ingredients to produce what he does is truly amazing, and he's someone I aspire to be like."

Dan is currently studying a Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching, but says that while he is enjoying university, he knows deep down that his true passion is cooking.

One of Dan's greatest achievements to date is travelling to South Africa by himself where he volunteered in a remote local community, working in the orphanage and community for six weeks. It opened his eyes to the outside world and inspired his love for teaching and helping others. Combining this with his love for cooking, Dan's dream is to be a chef, and eventually to teach kids how to grow and cook their own food.

"I think learning different skills and techniques in the MasterChef Australia kitchen will provide a stepping stone to me achieving my dream of opening my own cafe or restaurant."