A butcher from the small Tasmanian town of Smithton has made it into the top 10 of this year’s MasterChef Australia competition.
Josh “Pezza” Perry, 43, from the north-west coast, says he was “right on the chopping block” in the first week of the competition.
“The first goal was obviously to not go home first,” he said.
“Now, being in the top 10 is just a pinch-yourself moment. I’m proving myself – I’m not just a little old home cook – I’m good enough to be in it.”
Perry overcame his fear of dessert in the first week, which included a cherry blossom dessert challenge set by guest chef Darren Purchese.
“My biggest fear coming into the competition was that I’m not a dessert man – I like to cook savoury,” he said.
“I don’t cook nice little cakes, but when you do it and you do it well, it’s so rewarding.”
Back home in Smithton, Perry’s family are cheering him on, including his wife Jen, their four teenage and adult children and four grandchildren.
“Before MasterChef, I’d probably been away from the wife for three days in the 20-plus years we’ve been married,” he said.
“It’s gut-wrenching. Back home, there’s a nice little spot that we go for a walk to each night – it’s just nice to talk and unwind. I miss that.”
The top 10 cooks will soon face some of the toughest MasterChef challenges.
MasterChef Australia airs Monday to Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30pm on Channel Ten.