Cath grew up in outer Melbourne as one of ten children in a lively, love-filled household. Weekends often meant a few extra faces at the table, with friends dropping by and her mum never missing a beat—always welcoming, adaptable, and ready to make room for one (or two, or three) more.

The family created countless beautiful memories together, many of them centered around food. One that remains vivid in Cath’s mind more than 40 years later is a family holiday to Apollo Bay. Her mum’s lovingly cooked corned beef—wrapped in a tablecloth and served fresh at Paradise Picnic Reserve—stands out as one of her most treasured food memories.

There were also plenty of kitchen misadventures, like the accidental “apple glurg,” a dessert gone wrong but never forgotten. And then there were the comforting, budget-friendly classics—golden syrup dumplings and bread and butter pudding—that always hit the spot. In Cath’s family, food was simple but always rich in flavour, love, and togetherness.

The love of food runs strong through the whole family, with each sibling bringing their own unique flair to the table:

• Michele, the eldest sister, is an incredible cook known for her relishes and flavour-packed side dishes.
• Liz, who lives in the U.K., is the queen of shared dinners—her Beef Wellington is legendary.
• Suz is the platter queen, renowned for her stunning and delicious grazing boards.
• Stephen brings a touch of French flair to his cooking, effortlessly elevating the classics.
• Pete, who trained as a chef, is not only a brilliant cook but also Cath’s biggest supporter and mentor. He helped her prepare for both of her MasterChef journeys, and the two share a deep bond over time spent in the kitchen together.

There are now a few Vegans and vegetarians in the mix of the grandchildren which challenges everyone to think and cook differently. Cath grew up in a traditional meat and three vegie family so Cath’s cooking is forever evolving

The Next Generation

The food love continues with Cath’s children:

• Alexandra is a creative, instinctual cook who loves to cook “off-script”—no recipes needed, just whatever’s in the fridge.
• Abby is the baker and pasta maker. She’s precise, passionate, and finds joy in kneading dough and perfecting pastry.

Cath’s husband Brad, the best kind of taste-tester—who just loves eating whatever comes out of Cath’s Kitchen!