This is Brett McGregor. Since joining MasterChef New Zealand in 2010, Brett says his life has been simply fantastic. He has been fortunate enough to realize his dream of working in the food industry.

Brett's love of food began in his childhood, when he watched and helped his mother prepare culinary creations.

"For me, it was a great opportunity to sneak a few bites of dinner before everyone else – and since my two brothers and my father were waiting hungry, you took what you could get when you could get it!"

"In our house, the development of my cooking skills is thanks to only one person: the boss – aka my mother! Mom is truly a fantastic cook; I'm sure she could open any refrigerator in the country and conjure up a sensational meal without batting an eye."

While Brett learned important skills through his mother's influence, his grandparents' travels introduced him to new flavors from around the world. From China to Chile, they brought home spice blends and ideas to revive memories in their own kitchen.

"My parents' passion for seeing the world and discovering new tastes ignited the same passion in me, which was further intensified by my anthropology studies at university. Here, food was not just a meal – it was an immersion in another culture. My studies inspired me to travel the world for years, where I discovered and enjoyed the culinary delights of other countries."

Brett recently visited Thailand and filmed several episodes there for his new television series "Taste of a Traveller".

In episode 1, Brett travels to Krabi in southwestern Thailand to learn how to prepare a complete Thai meal. He learns from a local chef and then manages to sneak into a Muay Thai class with a Muay Thai master.

If you are in New Zealand, you can watch Taste of a Traveller on TV1 on Saturdays at 4:30 pm.

And if you would like the recipe for the chicken coconut soup "Taste of a Traveller", click here!