Age: 28

Occupation: Stay at home mum

A qualified hairdresser and former telecommunications worker, Samira lives with husband and her two daughters Nada (3) and Mariam (1).

Samira cites her top three loves as her girls, shoes and bags. She is also a sports lover, particularly AFL.

Samira says her mother's cooking is the best food she has ever eaten and her love of food has grown from family get-togethers throughout her life.

"The feeling you experience when you have good food around is amazing."

While her expertise is traditional Middle Eastern cooking, it was a shepherd's pie she made for Ramadan that inspired her to follow her passion when she realised she could touch people with her food.

"Everyone was laughing, not wanting to try it, but all of a sudden it was all eaten and I was asked for the recipe. It felt amazing to know people loved my dish enough to want to start cooking it for their family at home. That was the moment I fell in love."

Her dream is to open kitchen workshops for disadvantaged children in Australia where they can come and cook, have a good time and go home with the meals they've prepared.

"I just want to put a smile on their faces."