SUNSHINE Coast mum Carolyn Bindon's generous cooking style has impressed three of the country's toughest food critics - the MasterChef judges.

The small business owner can be seen cooking on the reality TV series when it returns on Channel 10 tomorrow night.

Ms Bindon is part of a small group of amateur cooks who were selected for the judges' auditions in Melbourne.

"I've watched MasterChef UK for years, and I just really didn't think I could do it," she said.

"I was very surprised to get an audition. I was over the moon. It took me quite a few days to get over just getting an audition."

Ms Bindon and her fellow home cooks will be seen battling it out all next week for a spot in the Top 24.

She described cooking for larger-than-life judges George Calombaris, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan as "scary".

"It's one thing cooking for your friends and family. They're in that space that's good to you," she said.

"Criticism is something most people don't generally get about their food unless they're just terrible cooks, so it was a bit scary. I had a few big deep breaths and just got into my little space that I operate in."

Ms Bindon impressed the show's judges and producers enough that one of her recipes - Prosciutto-wrapped pork fillet with carrot and parsnip puree, wilted spinach and fondant potato - is in the current issue of MasterChef Magazine.

"I really love cooking things so that when someone experiences the food they just feel the energy and the work that's gone into presenting it for them," she said.

"My food comes from a generous spot in me, so I love to cook things that do take a little bit of preparation and thought. I can just as easily throw together a great 20-minute meal during the week but when I really cook I love to get into the nitty gritty of it."

The experience has inspired Ms Bindon to continue work on her iPad app, which she plans to release after the show.

"It's about helping everyday people like you and me, who are on the move and need to plan a menu for the week," she said.

"I just think about myself being a mum and being busy with the business. When I get 10 or 15 minutes here or there, what if I could plan what I do for the week?"

The fourth series of MasterChef Australia premieres on SundayMay 6 at 7.30pm on Ten and airs weekdays at 7pm.