Budding chefs: How two young talents rose from regional Australia to national TV

Luke Harris, a 20-year-old from Geraldton, Western Australia, is making waves as the youngest contestant on the national television show MasterChef. Harris, who describes himself as having a "magnetic pull" towards cooking since childhood, is now competing on a national stage after previously being a "random bloke who likes cooking."

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At the shops Luke would pick all of these things from the shelves. I had no idea what these ingredients were, but we'd bring them home and he'd cook us up a beautiful feast.

His passion for cooking was nurtured by his parents, Eugenie and Khim Harris, and further encouraged by educators like his former food technology teacher, Derek Goforth. Harris recalls a pivotal moment in school when he was tasked with making Indonesian-style fried rice, an experience where he felt he could finally "experiment and put my own spin on it" without constant supervision.

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It does feel a bit weird … a year ago I was just some random bloke who likes cooking and now I'm on TV.

Goforth remembers Harris as a student who worked with "his own inspiration," sometimes leading to unconventional results, like an inedible creation during a meat box challenge. However, this same period saw Harris independently create a "phenomenal" croquembouche, showcasing his innate talent for transforming simple dishes into complex masterpieces. Goforth noted Harris's tendency to elevate even basic items, turning a cheese sandwich into a croque monsieur or a simple cake into macarons.

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My love for cooking definitely came from Mum and Dad, but there was definitely a few people who kind of fanned the flame into a full-blown fire.

Now watching Harris on national television, Goforth believes his former student is destined for stardom. "He has far surpassed any skill that I could teach him," Goforth stated, encouraging Harris to remain true to himself. Regardless of his final placement on MasterChef, Goforth is confident that Harris has a "massive future" ahead, highlighting his unique talent and drive.

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That was the first time I reckon where I didn't have someone [completely] watching over me [when cooking]. I got to experiment and put my own spin on it.