Meet the Queensland teams competing on My Kitchen Rules

A FOOD-loving "cougar" and her boyfriend will be the first team representing Queensland in the new season of My Kitchen Rules.

The 24-year age gap doesn't bother 50-year-old mum Cheryl and her 26-year-old beau Matt, who will be cooking in the first group of instant restaurants.

"We want to say to everyone out there that age doesn't matter," Cheryl said in the press kit released by Channel 7 today.

"Why should a number make a difference about who you're with, who you enjoy your time with and how you go through life? Society shouldn't dictate that."

Cheryl, a sales and marketing manager from Brisbane, won over student Matt with her Caesar salad. Their relationship will certainly make for some interesting conversation at the dinner table.

Two teams will fly the flag for Queensland during the second round of instant restaurants.

Miners Alex and Gareth have already featured in promos airing over the past two months.

The Mackay-raised 25-year-olds live on the Sunshine Coast and hope to leave their fly-in, fly-out jobs behind to open their own bar or restaurant.

Also hailing from Queensland are lovebirds JP and Nelly, who grew up as fresh food lovers thanks to their European families.

JP is the son of a French chef while Nelly's parents are Italian and Polish.

The new season of My Kitchen Rules premieres on February 1 on Channel 7.

MKR 2016 teams

Group 1

Monique and Sarah - cops - NSW

Mitch and Laura - brother and sister - VIC

Cheryl and Matt - 'cougar and cub' - Qld

Rosie and Paige - best mates - SA

Anna and Jordan - Mother and Son - WA

Gianni and Zana - Married Lawyers - VIC

Group 2

Alex and Gareth - Miners - Qld

Luciano and Martino - Italianos - NSW

Tasia and Gracia - sisters - VIC

JP and Nelly - Lovebirds - Qld

Nev and Kell - tradie and cleaner - WA

Jessica and Marcos - Fitness Friends - VIC