THE Coast’s most successful MasterChef contestant is living her food dream in Melbourne.

Nearly a year since she moved to Melbourne to work with renowned pastry chefs Darren Purchese and Christy Tania, Buderim’s Ashleigh Bareham is now creating delicious desserts full-time.

Two months ago the 25-year-old landed her dream job as a trainee pastry chef at Millstone, a café and patisserie frequented by MasterChef judge Gary Mehigan.

“We make all our own croissants, pastries, tarts and cakes. Since it’s such a small team – the owner Alice and myself –I get to do everything. I absolutely love it,” Ms Bareham told the Daily.

“Everything feels like it’s fallen into place. I’m really happy where I am.”

The former childcare worker still hopes to one day open her own dessert bar or van but is happy to continue honing her craft.

She also has some advice for this year’s new crop of MasterChef hopefuls, which includes Noosa’s Matt Sinclair.

“I wish I would have stressed a lot less when I was on the show, so I’d tell them to try to have fun,” she said.

“It’s hard because you are locked up away from the world, but it’s important to remember there is life on the other side.

“You will get opportunities (after the show) and it’s up to you to make the best of it. Good things will happen if you put in the hard work.”

Before appearing on MasterChef last year Bareham sold her brownies at local farmers markets.

During her time on the show she also cooked with local produce including Buderim ginger.

Season eight of MasterChef Australia premieres on Sunday May 1 on Channel 10.