51 year old Endang is a gift shop owner and mum to two grown up children. Born in Balikpapan, East Borneo in Indonesia she has lived in Scotland since 2000. She now lives in Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway with her husband.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

“Spontaneous Indonesian dishes. I rarely follow recipes but love reading recipe books for inspiration and will often adapt dishes using whatever ingredients are available locally. My husband and children are both my biggest fans and biggest critics. I'm amazed and delighted at how much more accessible Asian ingredients have become in recent years. My mum was my biggest inspiration - she would walk to her local market every single day to buy fresh produce (no fridge in those days!).”

What is your earliest cooking memory?

“At the age of nine, helping mum prepare fried rice for our family of 10. Our kitchen was tiny and mum made do with what she had, and could afford. Meat was a luxury so our protein mainly came from fish and soya products. I have inherited that 'make do' attitude from mum.”

Why did you enter MasterChef?

“Our two children have started their own careers and the time just seemed right. It’s an opportunity to do something for me. I also really wanted to cook Indonesian food for John and Gregg.”

What is your food dream?

“To introduce the subtle and bold flavours, and wonderful smells of Indonesian cuisine to a wider audience.”