Emma, 42, works in property management. Born in Houston, Texas she grew up in Scotland and now lives in Glasgow with her husband and two sons.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

I'm not sure I necessarily have a "style". I am definitely a "home cook"- I am more about making food delicious rather than following fads and using showy techniques. I'm inspired by my mum and my grandma who are both amazing cooks - they cook with love and that is the most important ingredient I can add to any dish!

What is your earliest cooking memory?<?b>

Throwing a dinner party for my family when I was 6! Complete with mis-spelled menus and an unappetising dish of tinned tuna with multi-coloured tagliatelle! The orange squash was of course served in champagne glasses though!

Why did you enter MasterChef?

My mum made me!! My friends and family very kindly think I am a good cook and it is my absolute favourite thing to do so I wanted to meet other people who share this passion and see what I could learn from like-minded individuals as well as get some really valuable feedback from those in the know.

What is your food dream?

I would love to write a cookbook to help mummies to fill hungry tummies - with a range of recipes from midweek dinners for fussy kids, to Saturday night dinner parties, family brunches, impromptu BBQs etc.