Carrie grew up in America, which gave the world French Fries and fast food, but it wasn’t until she travelled to France in her 20s that she gained a true appreciation for gastronomy.

With its pastries, creamy sauces and cheeses, the American expat was soon flying like an eagle when it came to cooking.

“I bought as many cookbooks from across Europe as I could, and went to France a lot where I became obsessed with the way they incorporate food into their culture,” says Carrie, who was born in California, raised in the US and Canada and is now an Australian resident. “I’m absolutely amazed at how French women look as skinny as they do considering what’s in their food!”

Carrie is now heavily inspired by Italian food, making her own pasta, sauces and fillings.

“I also love making desserts and my long term goal is to get a job where a chef takes me on in a kitchen where I can make desserts,” she says. “I have tried to teach myself over the years and I’m the happiest when I’m in the kitchen.”

Carrie moved house a lot growing up, relocating around North America and to the United Kingdom, thanks to her father’s job as a Navy pilot and then as a Boeing test pilot.

During her final year at university in Santa Barbara studying Arts, she did a six month exchange at Sydney University and immediately fell in love with Australia. After finishing her degree in the US, she moved to Sydney.

“I knew instantly when I got here that this was the place for me and it just felt right,” she says.

She moved to London for two years in 2002, gaining a love of food - and a husband - with the couple deciding to settle in Sydney.

“When I moved in with Rob I started cooking a lot for him,” says Carrie, adding that she was made redundant from her Human Resources job last year just as she applied for MasterChef Australia. “I started experimenting more and not relying on recipes.

“My husband is wonderful and very supportive of me coming on the show. He has given me the best advice – take each day as it comes and believe yourself; if you’re passionate, your dream will come true.”

Carrie is a perfectionist and is hoping that having her dishes analysed by the MasterChef Australia judges will help her achieve her goal of being a chef.