New South Wales, 23, Visual Merchandiser

During nap time at kindergarten, Ava Stangherlin would sneak away to the kitchen and beg the teachers to let her prepare the snacks. To this day, the kitchen is still her favourite place.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Performance, Ava worked as an actor and director in theatre before falling into a role as a retail visual merchandiser.

"I'm ready to explore what I really want to be doing. If I'm not doing what I love, I'm wasting my time," she says.

Hailing from a boisterous Italian family as the middle of three siblings, Ava credits her Nonna as one of her biggest influences in the kitchen.