Talented, effervescent and yes, famously prone to more than the occasional tear, Emma has left an indelible mark on MasterChef 2012. While responsible for her share of culinary highlights over the past seven weeks, it’s been Emma’s effect on her fellow contestants that’s been particularly remarkable to watch.

With both Ben and Beau selflessly offering to trade places after she faltered in the ‘Name the Cake’ Challenge, Emma confesses to being a little stunned at her misstep in a task most assumed her dessert proficiency would see her walk through.

“I love baking cakes, I love eating cakes, so a cake challenge seemed perfect,” she admits. “And there were definitely lots of cakes on that bench that I recognised, however I made the fatal error of picking a cake that I wasn’t sure about and guessing what it was based on the icing, which sent me straight through to the next round.”

In a particularly cruel twist, round two was against Emma’s great friend and ‘surrogate big brother’ Ben, leaving her facing a no-win dilemma. “Ben was one of the main reasons I got so far! He was such great support for me, so the moment I found out I had to compete against him was by far the worst moment in the competition for me! I was gutted!”

The result was a flood of emotion and displays of self-sacrifice never before witnessed in the MasterChef kitchen, with Emma’s peers quick to put themselves in the firing line to keep her dream alive. “Those MasterChef boys are just incredible,” she exclaims. “I honestly couldn’t believe the sacrifices Ben and Beau were both willing to make for me! I think it just goes to show how strong the bonds you form in the house are.”

Regaining her composure in the face of such painful circumstances was something Emma never quite managed. “I just don’t think I was in the right frame of mind to achieve them all to the standard that I wanted,” she concedes, “but I have no regrets about my final dish.”

For Emma, MasterChef has been as much about maturing as a person as it has developing as a cook. “I’ve definitely gained confidence in myself, and my ability to produce good food! I think I also matured throughout the competition, and for me MasterChef was such a great learning experience - not only learning about food, but also about myself!”

Emma is now busy cementing her post-MasterChef plans, and the future has never looked sweeter.  “I’m opening my own business, Eden Desserts, which operates in Adelaide, producing and delivering delectable treats straight to your door!” she outlines. “I am also assisting one of Adelaide’s top dessert destinations with their menu design, and doing work experience across Adelaide!”