Age: 32

Occupation: Ex-town Planner

Growing up on a hobby farm, Emma spent her childhood surrounded by chickens, sheep, cows and horses. Her parents grew a lot of their vegetables and had many fruit trees, and her mum used to milk the cow daily.

"I understood from a very early age where my food came from, which really started my interest in food."

This love of food has not dampened over the years, and even though she's now in the inner city, Emma still grows lots of fruit and veggies in her backyard. She has also recently got into foraging, with a keen interest in edible weeds and mushrooms.

Emma has a Masters in Environment and Planning and has worked in town planning for the State Government for over eight years. But after some recent soul searching, she decided to take a voluntary redundancy and make her food dreams a reality.

"I have got to a point in my 30s where I have worked in a well-paid professional job, but there is no passion or long term vision for myself in the office. Food and growing food has been a constant passion of mine and it makes sense to make the leap of faith into my new life."

Driven and ambitious, Emma is not afraid of the hard work ahead and seems to succeed at anything she puts her mind to.

"I have the passion, drive, work ethic and direction to make this happen."

She has spent the past few years renovating her house with gusto and it has been some of her most rewarding work to date. A former professional athlete, Emma has represented Australia in track cycling, and thinks her competitive streak will push her ahead in the MasterChef Australia kitchen and help her realise her culinary dreams.

"I'd love to own a restaurant that serves modern dishes where the foundation is seasonal and foraged ingredients that are the stars of the show."