When lovable Cath Collins told her family she was going on MasterChef Australia, the reaction was overwhelming.
“My youngest daughter Abby cried,” admits the 54-year-old self-taught cook, who owns more than 100 recipe books. “As a mum, I’m very proud of my girls. They’re beautiful, strong, independent women. It’s special that I can see they’re proud of me too.”
While Melbourne-based Cath – who was inspired to enter MasterChef by past winner Julie Goodwin’s return to the competition last year – struggled to be away from her kids during filming, the new family she created with her fellow cast members kept her going.
Cath with her daughters Abby (centre) and Alex.
“In past seasons, the contestants have talked about the relationships they formed, but it’s absolutely true – you become family,” shares the administration manager, who is one of 10 children and works for her family’s construction company.
“Robbie [Cooper], Rhiannon [Anderson] and I even fight over our beautiful, adopted ‘son’ Declan [Cleary]. I don’t have boys, so I always say I should be his second mum.”
MasterChef Australia screens 7.30pm Monday to Thursday & 7pm Sundays on TVNZ 2.
