Isis Ihaia couldn't have asked for a better start to her career.
The Wanganui woman is already a star on TV3's Native Kitchen and has picked up a job in Wanganui after studying cookery at UCOL in 2013-14.
The programme was filmed last year and screens on Saturdays at 4.30pm.
Miss Ihaia responded to the casting call for the show when she was finishing her studies. In Auckland for final selection, she was chosen as one of eight to make the show.
Each episode features a new cuisine challenge but, unlike some cooking shows, doesn't feature elimination.