Victoria, 31, Brand Manager

The eldest of four kids growing up on cattle farm in Kilkivan, Queensland, Sean learned to appreciate fresh produce from an early age.

Now based in Victoria, Sean’s family remains in Queensland, including Scottish mum Bernadette, retired grazier dad John, and siblings Joel, 29, an engineer, Tess, 26, a university administrator and Kieran, 24, a student.

Sean recalls rolling Anzac biscuits with mum aged three and has strong memories of food as fuel for his father who worked hard on the land, including during bushfire scares on their property.

Sean also fondly remembers cooking with his nanna ,a member of the CWA, renowned for her single serve apple pies. She has since passed away, but Sean loved cooking with her and has inherited her old recipe book.

Studying a Bachelor of Journalism and Communications, Sean now works as a Brand Manager and Ambassador for an alcohol company – planning events, hosting training seminars and tasting experiences. He also judges cocktail competitions. And, yes, he knows he has a dream job.

Cooking a lot in his spare time for girlfriend Cassie, Sean loves the Italian flavours of her family’s heritage, but worries sometimes he might lack patience and efficiency in the kitchen. Cassie feels lucky to have Sean cook for her, but describes him as a tornado in the kitchen.

Mixing all manner of drinks, Sean has had experience with dry ice and liquid nitrogen and hopes to trial these techniques with his food in the MasterChef Australia kitchen.

Looking up to chefs including Andrew McConnell, Neil Perry, Adriano Zumbo and Jamie Oliver, Sean says it was Jamie Oliver who taught him to cook.

“He inspires people to catch his passion for food and just run with it. It’s infectious. You can’t help but get excited when he cooks.”

If he could cook for anyone in the world, Sean says it would be the Celtic Football team before they take to the pitch for a European Champions League match. “I would die the happiest man in the world.”

In the meantime, this one-time stand up comic will continue to live by his motto: “Eat every day. Eat special. Eat with love.”