Age: 25

State: Victoria

Occupation: Registered Nurse

Instagram: @cookingwithvin

Food has been at the centre of Vinnie Gibaldi’s life for as long as he can remember. Growing up in a big Italian family, food was how they expressed love, celebrated milestones and stayed connected.

As one of four kids himself, Vinnie’s love for food was shaped early by his Nonna and Nonno, who cared for him often when he was young. It was inside their kitchen where his passion was sparked. Speaking Italian as they cooked, they taught him the joys of preparing simple, traditional Sicilian food and the magic of sharing it.

Vinnie’s father owned a restaurant on Melbourne’s famous Lygon Street, a place that was like Vinnie’s second home. He spent countless hours there learning from his Dad and witnessing firsthand what it takes to run a successful business.

At home, a young Vinnie would practice recipes and experiment in the kitchen; it quickly became his creative outlet and happy place. Very much a savoury cook, Italian food and meats cooked low and slow are his forté, and he knows he’ll need to expand on this sweets repertoire if he wants to go the distance in the competition.

Professionally, Vinnie is a registered nurse, often working in life-changing surgeries like liver transplants. He feels privileged to care for people in some of their most vulnerable moments, and his vocation has taught him patience, resilience and how to cope in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Whilst his career is fulfilling, it’s entering the MasterChef Australia kitchen and realising that this could be the start of a future in food that has his heart.

Inspired by his father’s journey, Vinnie dreams of opening a small panini shop, “Vinnie’s Panini’s”, where everything would be made from scratch, and everyone is welcome. The bread would be baked fresh daily, meats cured in-house and sauces and condiments all crafted to be truly unique.

With the support of his parents and stepdad, Vinnie also has girlfriend Bridge in his corner, a fellow foodie who gave him the confidence to put his hand up for the MasterChef challenge. He’s here to make them all proud.