Queensland, 26, Retail Manager

Brisbane-based Retail Manager Brendan Langfield knows a thing or two about being in the limelight.

Having spent a good deal of his life behind a bass guitar in pop-rock band Finabah, it’s now time to don an apron in the MasterChef Australia kitchen.

Brendan credits his dad, Michael, with inspiring in him a love of cooking that stretches back to childhood. “Food is what brings us together and always will,” says Brendan.

Michael gave up a career in cookery to be a stay-at-home dad when Brendan was young and the two have shared lots of time in the kitchen.

Brendan's support extends to his mum Cheryl and younger sisters Courtney and Brooke. He also loves to cook for his girlfriend of two years, Lauren.

Living in Victoria and Tasmania as a child, Brendan took up AFL football and was a talented player progressing towards a professional career until a shoulder injury cut that dream short at age 17.

The upside was that this allowed him to pursue his musical talent with more gusto. With Finabah, Brendan enjoyed some success including having a number one song added to radio. The band has toured alongside Wolfmother, Spiderbait, Kate Miller-Hiedke and Amy Meredith.

In 2011 Finabah won Nova’s I’m With The Band promotion. The win provided them $10,000, a mentoring session, studio time with Sony Music Entertainment and airplay on Nova. Brendan and his band mates also now sport matching – strategically placed – tattoos that say #winning.

Brendan sees a lot of similarities between music and food.

“Both involve combining ingredients to give something to someone you love.”

He cites his food hero Anthony Bourdain’s book Kitchen Confidential as a big inspiration in getting serious about food and confesses he’s now looking for the thing to commit to in his life, ready to give it his all.

“I have a good job, but not a great job; I have had a good musical career, but not a great one; I was good at school, but not great at school. I am great with food – MasterChef Australia will be the turning point in my life.”

Brendan is passionate about high end, pan-American style cuisine and dreams of running the best American-style food truck or restaurant in Australia.

“I love gluttony with an air of finesse."