Rik Moss, a plumber, won the wildcard entry to compete in the Farm to Fork Chef Challenge at the Home and Living Show on Sunday.
Mr Moss said he loved cooking at home, and had thought about making the career switch.
"I own close to 400 cook books and I would one day like to be a chef, so this competition could be a big foot in the door."
He entered after seeing the competition advertised in the Otago Daily Times, where members of the public had to recreate a pork belly dish made by executive chef Greg Piner.
As the winner of the competition, Mr Moss will compete against Mr Piner and four other Dunedin chefs - Sam Gasson, Pablo Tacchini, Andy Aitken and Hannes Bareiter - in the challenge, in which they will have 90 minutes to plan, prepare and plate their dish from a mystery box of local produce.
Mr Moss said he was nervous about the event.
"I'm planning on blocking out everyone watching and just giving it my best. It could mean a career change if all goes well."
The dishes will be judged by chef Michael Coughlin, Otago Daily Times rural editor Sally Rae and Craig Smart, of Bidfood Dunedin. The event will be MC'd by celebrity chefs Karena and Kasey Bird.
