Taunton Man Competing On ‘MasterChef’

On tonight's episode of MasterChef on Fox, you'll see Bime Cruz of Taunton.

Cruz was selected as one of 20 contestants on the show that challenges home chefs to impress the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich. After being featured commenting in the back-to-back episodes of MasterChef last week and baking a batch of assorted cupcakes, Cruz was selected as one of the two team captains for this week.

"It's really exciting. As a team captain, you get the opportunity to shine for the judges," he said.

Cruz, who is now home working in the health care field and as a boxing trainer, got to watch the first episodes of the Fox show with his daughters.

Cruz's parents emigrated from Puerto Rico to Boston and Taunton where he attended school. Cruz, who dropped out of high school only to return in 2009 to get his GED, says he's happy his daughters and parents are watching the show and rooting for him.

Along with his family, Cruz's fellow Taunton residents are backing Cruz. "This is my home, and I love this city and everything about it. Feeling the support from them has been overwhelming. Making them proud is making me proud," he said.

Though it will not be revealed until the end of the season whether or not Cruz won the title of MasterChef or the $250,000 cash prize, Cruz says the ex