Age: 23

State: Victoria

Occupation: Retail Assistant

Instagram: @gracewestking

Food has been a cornerstone of Grace King’s life for as long as she can recall. Growing up with parents who co-owned a Melbourne restaurant with chef Karen Martini, Grace was quite simply immersed in food and fondly recalls being allowed into the kitchen by the chefs with her siblings to create their own pizzas and taste the sorbet.

This glimpse behind the pass was backed up at home too, where mum Emma taught Grace everything she knows about cooking, passing on the ethos of never wasting a meal on something you’re not going to love, and that recipes can be inspiration, not just instruction.

With her school lunches the envy of the playground – think a thermos full of meatballs, a side salad and a slice of cake rather than a boring sandwich – Grace has worked in hospitality from age 14 in pubs, clubs and cafés. Following school, she spent time acting and modelling, but has more recently worked alongside her mum as a retail assistant in her mum’s clothing boutique, indulging her other great love of fashion.

While Grace has undeniably felt the lure of the food world, to date she has been too scared to chase her food dream…. until now. Having hosted some side hustle pop-up dinner parties alongside her twin sister and friends, Grace admits she is obsessed by food and realises that spreading joy through a beautiful plate of food is where her passion truly lies.

Entering the famed MasterChef Australia kitchen, Grace expects it to be a fast-tracked foodie masterclass and cannot wait to learn from the best, eager to build her skills and expand her knowledge.

While she favours savoury cooking, Grace also loves the discipline that baking demands and her favourite thing in the world is to bake birthday cakes for friends, calling it the most heartfelt gift you can give.

Having been inspired over the years by the many young female contestants who have travelled the MasterChef path before her, Grace’s long-term goal is to start her own catering company, fuelled by the excitement and satisfaction she feels bringing people together over great food.

Grace will be cheered on at home by her family and boyfriend Henry, who are thrilled to see her chasing her goals on the big stage.