A trainee-lawyer turned chef has been viewed by millions across Brazil in their version of the Nigella Lawson show The Taste.

Julio Ketteley, of Gaywood Road, Walthamstow is through to the finals of the reality cooking show and is to be picked for mentoring by some of Brazil’s top chefs.

The chef, who hails originally from Salvador, is the only non-professional chef among the 12 finalists.

He said: "I have always loved cooking it is my first passion. Whenever I come home from work, whether it is 10pm or midnight, I will go straight to the kitchen.

“I get all my herbs from Walthamstow Market and the African vegetable stores in the High Street.

"I used to live in Chelsea and they have the same as everywhere else, Mango, Papaya but with a slightly better quality.

“But in Walthamstow you get the variety. You can find those niche African fruit and vegetables that you would struggle to find anywhere else."

With TV cameras watching his every move, Julio had to work with obscure ingredients like ants to create unique and creative dishes.

"I knew what to do with a pig's head, but ants? I cook a lot French inspired dishes, but try and give them a Brazilian twist with local ingrediants." he said.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Julio competing in the show (Credit Adalberto de Melo 'Pygmeu')

Before becoming a trainee lawyer at law firm RPC in 2013, Julio spent a year completing one of the world's most prestigious cookery diplomas, Cordon Bleu. 

He said: "My signature dish, and the one I used to get onto the show, was a lobster with fresh tortellini and crab brisque. It is beautiful."

The show has already been viewed by millions of people and aired on one of Brazil's most popular TV channels, GNT.

You can find Julio's recipes on his Instagram account “Julio Ketteley”.