Victoria, 40, Medical Scientist

Born and bred in Melbourne, medical scientist Jacqui Ackland is saying goodbye to her lab coat and hello to her MasterChef Australia apron.

With three daughters, Ashleigh (10), Cameron (8), and Mackenzie (5), Jacqui relishes being a mum. But with her youngest at school this year, she can now take the time to test her cooking limits.

Jacqui’s love for cooking comes from many childhood afternoons perched on the kitchen bench watching her mum and grandma cook. At age 10 she prepared her parents a three-course meal from an The Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook.