A CONSTRUCTION worker from Kidderminster is set to cook up a storm as a contestant on MasterChef, in a new episode airing tonight (Wednesday, March 17). 

Jim Parsons has been a huge fan of the BBC One show for years and had always imagined himself on the other side of the television screen.

So it was a dream come true when he got the call to compete in the 17th series, and found himself serving his meat and two veg-inspired culinary creations to food experts John and Gregg.

The 44-year-old dad-of-two, who runs his own construction company, said: "I've followed the show from day dot, I've always thought it's an incredible show.

"When I found out I'd got on, the emotions were twofold - elation, jumping around the room and wanting to scream, and another feeling in the pit of your stomach thinking wow, I'm going to cook for John and Gregg and people are going to witness that happen!"

Describing the experience as "like nothing I've done before", Jim said: "When you cook at home, you're not set against any particular time limit, you've always got time to change or rectify something. The challenge in the MasterChef kitchen is timing, I was always very conscious of that. The time just evaporates.

"It's like nothing I've done before, it's elation, excitement, trepidation and sheer fear rolled into one. It was the most incredible experience."

Jim is from Kidderminster and now lives in Abberley with his wife and his son and daughter, who he says are his "two chief tasters".

"I cook for my family most nights," said Jim. "My two kids have become my chief tasters, they're very critical of my cooking and I think that prepared me for John and Gregg!"

Jim's love of cooking blossomed at university, when his housemates gave him free rein to do the weekly food shop and make the dinners.

"I've always liked cooking as far back as I can remember", Jim said. "I find it quite therapeutic and relaxing, being in the kitchen for a few years and having a go at a recipe."

Jim says his favourite dish to cook is "meat and two veg", but he also pays attention to the seasonality of his ingredients, often shopping in local farm shops and buying locally-sourced products.

Describing his approach going into the MasterChef kitchen, Jim said: "I wanted to try and represent me on a plate.

"I like hearty, bold flavours, so any opportunity to show that, I planned to do so."

Jim was unable to reveal how far he gets in the competition, but readers can see how Jim gets on in the MasterChef kitchen at 8pm on BBC One.

To see some of Jim's culinary creations, follow the_big_happy_cook on Instagram.