Alita Harvey-Rodriguez Biography – Alita Harvey-Rodriguez Wiki

Alita Harvey-Rodriguez, an innovative tech entrepreneur from Australia, has taken on a new challenge as a contestant in the 2026 season of MasterChef Australia. She is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of School Perks, a mission-driven enterprise aimed at alleviating the financial burden on Australian families by offering practical savings on educational expenses and everyday necessities.

Alita’s parents, Charo, hailing from Peru, and Chris, from England, moved to Australia in the 1980s, armed with just $500 and a determination to succeed. Their relentless dedication to building a prosperous life for their family left a lasting impression on Alita and her sister Victoria, instilling in them a strong work ethic.

Alita’s culinary journey began as she watched her parents cook from an early age, igniting her passion for the culinary arts. Her experiences were enriched not only by her Peruvian and English heritage but also by the diverse flavors encountered during her family’s business travels across Asia.

A significant turning point in Alita’s life came when she was bitten by a tiger snake four times on her family’s farm in country Victoria at the age of 12. This incident led her to spend more time indoors, where she honed her cooking skills, transforming the kitchen into her sanctuary.

In her professional life, Alita has excelled in e-commerce and enhancing customer experience, contributing to the growth of prominent Australian brands. Her accomplishments include being a state finalist in the Telstra Business Awards. Currently, as the co-founder and COO of School Perks, she is dedicated to supporting families with school-aged children by helping them manage living costs more effectively.

Alita Harvey-Rodriguez Age

Born in 1986 to a Peruvian mother and an English father, Alita Harvey-Rodriguez is now not only known for her business acumen but also for her culinary talents showcased on MasterChef Australia.

Alita Harvey-Rodriguez Husband

Alita Harvey-Rodriguez is married to her husband, Michael. Speaking about her husband Michael, Alita told TV WEEK: “I knew whoever I was going to marry had to be able to use more power tools than me. And then I saw a guy at my work office who wore a suit and drove a ute. I said, ‘I have to marry that guy…’ and the rest is history.”

MasterChef Australia

40-year-old Alita Harvey-Rodriguez is a contestant on the 18th season of MasterChef Australia. Considering creativity her biggest strength, Alita brings it in spades to the MasterChef Australia kitchen along with warmth, charisma and a born drive to succeed.

“I’m on MasterChef season 18,” Alita announced. “Cooking is my passion, so securing an apron in the top 24 this season was a major goal for the year. Getting one of the first 10 was an incredible rush!”

“I have to say so far, this is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced both emotionally and mentally. People are like “But its just cooking”… It is but it isn’t. It is your heart on your sleeve in the biggest reality TV show in the world… All in all, I wouldn’t change it for the world, it’s truely character building and I’v already experienced a lot of that in my life!

“My highlight so far has been cooking for Jimmy and Jane Barnes. Our alignment of food and family was so beautiful and Jim loved what I did with Janes marmalade in my first ever MysteryBox.”

Heritage

Alita is of mixed Peruvian and English heritage.

Instagram

Alita is on Instagram @msalita.