Sarah Todd is a 27-year-old model, mum and the much-loved, recently-eliminated contestant on MasterChef Australia, Season Six. Upon elimination, she decided to travel and expand her culinary horizons. We caught up with her at the Park Hyatt, Goa.

Q. You started your career as a model, what made you want to become a professional cook instead?

A. I think I have been searching for a long time for my real passion and the moment that I really started cooking, I knew this is what I want to be doing.

Q. How did MasterChef Australia happen for you?

A. I saw audition requests for MasterChef and thought that it fit what I did as a model and what I wanted to do with food. I love a challenge.

Q. What were the best and worst things about being a contestant on the show?

A. The best is being able to cook the food that you love, everyday. Being surrounded by total foodies and learning from some of the best chefs around the world. The worst was being away from my family.

Q. What’s a typical day like for you at home with your partner Devinder and the baby?

A. A day off is waking up and heading straight down to the beach and having a play in the park, then off to a food market, before heading home to cook a beautiful late breakfast.

Q. What are your culinary muses? Who do you draw inspiration from?

A. I take inspiration from life experiences. I like to use my knowledge of French techniques and combine that with everyday experiences of food. Angela Hartnett is a great inspiration — I love the statement she has made in the food industry as a female chef. Devinder’s mum is a terrific cook with whom I spent a lot of time learning how to cook Indian food.

Q. How do you keep yourself so trim and fit? Any breakfast ritual you’d like to share?

A. For me, it’s all about living a wholesome lifestyle. Eat wholefoods that are prepared simply and bring out the best flavour in the ingredients. Also, I allow myself to indulge when I feel like it. I truly believe to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can’t give yourself restrictions or go on a diet as you are always going to rebel from it.

Q. What are your favourite destinations in the world for food?

A. I have to say we are extremely lucky in Australia with beautiful fresh, local produce. I also love eating out in the UK, some of my favourite restaurants are there, and now India. I am truly amazed with the abundance and variety of delicious cuisines this country has to offer.

Q. Gordon Ramsey vs Anthony Bourdain, pick one and tell us why.

A. Gordon Ramsey; I know he is a tough man, but what I like about him is that he is very particular and strives for excellence every time. That is the kind of pressure I put on myself.

Q. What are your plans after MasterChef Australia? Do you intend to open a restaurant anytime soon?

A. My biggest plans are to continually grow and learn. I would absolutely love to have my own restaurant in a couple of years; however, for now it’s all about building the skills that I need to make it successful.

Q. What are your five favourite pantry/kitchen staples?

A. Spices, fish, quinoa, spinach and bananas.

Q. What are your five favourite dishes?

A. Lentil salad, with slow roasted tomatoes, feta, pickled red onions; slow roasted lamb shoulder; seafood pakora; chilli mussel hot pot; salmon cervice with mango chutney and crispy papad.

Q. What do you think are some of the top food trends that might be changing the way we eat?

A. Healthy, wholesome, clean eating that is delicious. I think people are becoming very aware of what they are putting in their body and where it is coming from, but at the same time, we don’t want to sacrifice on taste.

Q. Any plans of coming back to India anytime soon?

A. Yes. I have fallen in love with India instantly and I am already planning my next trip in late November.

This interview was originally featured in The Sunday Guardian.