Chariya, 40 is a master coffee roaster. She was born and raised in Chiangmai, Thailand, moved to the UK nearly 20 years ago and now lives in Farnborough with her fiancé.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

I love cooking the food of my heritage from the Northern areas of Thailand but I like using the ingredients that I can find locally in the South of England. In many ways my dishes are a fusion between south east Asia and western food. I spend hours and hours in the kitchen perfecting my recipes but I also love to have fun with them. I love seeing people’s faces light up when I put a plate down in front of them and then smile when they eat it.

What is your earliest cooking memory?

My mum taught me how to make an omelette when I was four years old and I have loved cooking ever since. I don’t remember a time when I haven’t cooked to be honest, it is part of Thai culture and every family gathering involves huge amounts of food. It’s always been such a big part of my life.

Why did you enter MasterChef?

I want to show the world that Northern Thai food is amazing, because it really is. I’d love to introduce people to Thai food that they may have not have tried before and I also want to have the opportunity to show John and Gregg how creative I can be with my dishes.

What is your food dream?

I would love to open not one but many restaurants in the future. Focusing on Northern Thai food menus with local ingredients. That is my dream.