Katie

Age: 37 Lives: QLD Signature dish: Steak fajitas

Katie's childhood always involved holidays at the beach and many family feasts under the trees over-looking the water. And at Easter time, a whole lamb on the spit was the order of the day. Christmas was glazed ham on the Weber, and every other weekend, whatever would feed a crowd. As long as it was outdoors as everything just tasted so much better. Being the youngest of five Katie has battled to take the BBQ reins from the self-professed experts in her family.

Her gypsy spirit and love of cooking led Katie on a global tour that included working as a chalet girl in Zermat, cooking for the well-heeled of England, a culinary school in New York, yachts in the Caribbean and Mexico and a test kitchen in Boston. There was a catering stint in there too, but that’s another story. Torn between two loves - the great outdoors and cooking up a fabulous al fresco feast (otherwise known as the barbecue!), Katie now knows how to stay at the party, feed everyone, and always be right there at the heart of the gathering with the food.

I'm Australia's Best BBQ'er because: “From the street food of Mexico to the BBQ pits of Texas my travels have opened my eyes to a whole new world of outdoor cooking. It really got me thinking - what about our own Australian barbie? Although nothing beats a good sausage, there are still some simple but exotic surprises you can do on the BBQ. I would love to have the opportunity to share my experiences of life beyond the burnt snag and BBQ with Australia.”