Bakersfield native Terry Matthews won a national TV competition doing what he loves.

He calls himself the “barbecue daddy”. 

Matthews grew up in Bakersfield. He attended Plantation Elementary, Greenfield Junior High, and graduated from South High School. 

After attending Bakersfield College he moved to Phoenix to start a new life. 

One day while working as a sales rep he decided to cook for the company barbecue and his food received rave reviews. 

That’s when he decided to start BBQ Daddy Catering. 

Since opening in 2011, Matthews has catered nearly 1,000 events. 

A few months ago, he got the call that would change his life when he was asked to compete in Food Network's "Cutthroat Kitchen". 

The episode premiered Wednesday night, but the victory has been bittersweet. 

Just a few days before his shining moment, Matthews lost one of his biggest fans -- his mother.

On September 28, Matthews will return to the Camp Cutthroat Finale for his chance to win $50,000.