Name: Pierre Khoury
State: New South Wales
Age: 13
Specialty Dish: Herb Crusted Lamb Cutlets with Stuffed Mushrooms and Green Beans
Least Favourite Food: Eggplant, zucchini and fennel
Game Plan: “To keep focused and try my best.”
Biography
Pierre has always been the small kid at school, but he believes good things come in small packages – especially after being chosen to be in the Top 12 of Junior MasterChef.
Watching his grandmother Josephine cook traditional Lebanese dishes from his high chair when he was little, Pierre soon discovered his love for food and began to help out in the kitchen.
Pierre loves cooking because it makes him happy and transports him into another world. His favourite judge is Matt because of his larger-than-life personality, and he’s inspired by MasterChef 2010 contestant Callum.
When Pierre grows up he wants to be an engineer or open a theatre restaurant.
Pierre's Q&A:
Q: How old were you when you started cooking and what is your signature dish?
A: When I was very young I would sit in my high chair in the kitchen whilst my parents were at work and watch my grandmother cook. She spent all day cooking. My signature dish is Herb Crusted Lamb Cutlets with Stuffed Mushrooms and Green Beans.
Q: How did you learn to cook?
A: The two people that taught me to cook was my grandmother Josephine and my aunty Rosanna. I’ve spent lots of time in the kitchen with both of them.
Q: What is the hardest meal you can make?
A: Lobster in Herb Butter.
Q: Are there any foods you don’t like?
A: I don’t like the taste of fennel and I don’t like eggplant or zucchini.
Q: Who is your favourite judge and why?
A: Matt Preston and his personality with food. He looks really scary but he’s actually really soft and lovely.
Q: Was it scary having to cook food for the Junior MasterChef judges – Anna, Gary, George and Matt?
A: At first it was, but later in the series I got used to it.
Q: What was it like appearing on a TV show. Did it add to the pressure of cooking?
A: Yes it added pressure but its still hasn’t sunk in that I’m on TV, it’s like I’m in a cooking class.
Q: What sort of career would you like to have when you grow up and will it involve food?
A: Work on TV or Science and Engineering because it involves food.
Q: Apart from cooking, what other talents do you have?
A: I play the drums well, I’ve been playing for over a year now and I love it. I have a drum set at home.
Q: Do you have a game plan to win?
A: To keep focused and try my best.
