Anthony Hammel was living with his parents in Ballarat when a bushfire destroyed their home. At the age of 10,  the family moved to Casterton, after a year in Queensland.

He attended the Casterton Primary and High School where he formed lifelong friendships. After completing Year 12, he spent time doing seasonal work.  Working in the Shearing Sheds Crutching and Shearing, and in the Grape Vines pruning where he loved the camaraderie and lifestyle.

Anthony then decided a change was desired and went onto complete a commercial cooking apprenticeship in Warrnambool. He then worked as a junior Chef at Nova Casolino in Warrnambool, the Press Club in Melbourne and with Alla Wolk Tasker at the LakeHouse, Daylesford.

Anthony went backpacking in Europe for 6 months and returned to Daylesford working at Kazuki a French, Japanese fusion restaurant.

A golf enthusiast, he completed a year at the golf academy in Queensland, thinking maybe a career change was in order,  and remains a "golf sicko".

Anthony continued his culinary career working on cruise ships, living in Hong Kong and has made a guest appearance on season 8, week 3 (episode 14, watch via 10 Play app) of MasterChef, and shares his stories with us of those experiences.

He remembers living in Casterton as a stable time of his life where he made friends who remain his best mates.