"I like to cook lots of food for lots of people. Hearty, hot, tasty food."

MasterChef 2009 Winner

Age:  38
State:  New South Wales
Occupation:  Runs own IT business
Favourite cuisine: Aussie!
Favourite place to travel: Dalmeny, NSW
Favourite dish to cook: Baked dinner
Favourite dessert to eat: Crème Brulee
Sweet or Savoury: Savoury
Chilli or garlic: Garlic

Working mum Julie runs her own IT business, but a family woman at heart, Julie's husband and three boys are at the centre of her life. "My cooking inspiration was in finding what to cook for my family. My kids all really love their food. It’s a mission of love for me to create meals that my family will love to eat. My biggest sacrifice in being on MasterChef is leaving behind my boys. I love them more than life itself and I'm not there to kiss them goodnight each night."

A person who loves to cook for those around her, Julie's desire to bring people together has influenced her style of cooking. "My signature style of food is that which lets people gather around. I do a lot of meat dishes because of the boys, and vegetarian isn't my forte. I cook hearty, tasty food, I don't make bland food. I'm not a fussy cook, but the food has to be hot and tasty."

A fan of Nigella Lawson, Julie cooks in the same way and loves big flavours. "I cook things that you won't find in the Weight Watchers cookbook," she jokes. "I love the way Nigella talks about food, you can really feel the love for it, and I love that. I am obsessed with watching food shows on the TV. My poor husband doesn't get to watch anything but I've learned so much from them."

If she could cook for anyone, Julie says she would choose her family every time, although her love of cooking has had its disadvantages. "I get so much gratitude and appreciation for my food from my family and that is what's important. If I could cook for anyone in the world it would always be my boys. But my husband says that we eat so well at home that we don't need to go out to restaurants so I miss out!"

Proud of the IT business which she runs with her husband, Julie's real dream is to open her own restaurant. "I'd love to have a beautiful, warm place in God's country on the Central Coast and be able to cook for people, and really do something I love. I love people to gather and celebrate so the idea of bringing people to one place where I can facilitate their special occasions is an absolute dream. It would be a warm little restaurant overlooking the ocean where people could unwind over great food."