A chef from Harrow who runs her own catering firm has progressed to the next round of MasterChef: The Professional after having to save her place in the competition in a last-chance 'cook off'.

Mother-of-one Luciana Berry, 34, who lives off West Street, scraped through to the head-to-head stage of the TV contest as one of two lucky losers given a second chance to impress judges Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, the chefs, and Gregg Wallace, the grocer-turned-presenter.

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Harrow on the Hill chef Luciana Berry made the head-to-head round of MasterChef: The Professionals after advancing as one of two lucky losers in a repechage-style 'cook off'
Harrow on the Hill chef Luciana Berry made the head-to-head round of MasterChef: The Professionals after advancing as one of two lucky losers in a repechage-style 'cook off'

The Brazilian was one of 12 semi-finalists and her guinea fowl dish did not convince the judges to send her through automatically to the next round.

She was one of four contestants who took part in a repechage-style 'cook off' for the two remaining berths.

She went back to her roots to prepare a confit of bacalhau - salted cod - with accompaniments and it paid off as she was one of the chefs selected to advance.

Harrow on the Hill catering firm owner Luciana Berry's semi-final 'cook off' dish was confit of bacalhau, a Brazilian salted cod
Harrow on the Hill catering firm owner Luciana Berry's semi-final 'cook off' dish was confit of bacalhau, a Brazilian salted cod

Marcus said: "I think your presentation today is stunning, beautiful.

"I really feel like you've taken me Brazil. This is a plate that is you at your very best."

Mrs Berry told producers: "I want to dance, I want to fly. I'm just so happy."

The 34-year-old Bahia native is married to Philip, also 34, who is head of Spanish at The John Lyon School in Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill, and the couple have a son, Raphael, aged three.

She was the manager of Incanto restaurant in High Street, Harrow on the Hill, until studying at the Le Cordon Bleu London culinary school in Holborn, central London, and launching her catering business from home.