"It's still about the food:" Firefighter Freddy Coleman represents Milwaukee in MasterChef, season 7

MILWAUKEE -- Fans of FOX's hit show MasterChef may be encouraged to know that season 7 starts Wednesday night, June 1st -- and it will include some local flavor. A Milwaukee firefighter is among those competing for one of the coveted white aprons.

Frederick Coleman

Frederick "Freddy" Coleman is making good use of his time, by making great food.

"It's still about the food, no doubt about that. You still got to put that love in the food," said Coleman.

On Wednesday morning, Coleman stopped by the FOX6 WakeUp studio ahead of an appearance on a stage which is a bit bigger.

"MasterChef, season 7 -- top 40 contestant," Coleman said.

Frederick Coleman

That's right, this Milwaukee man will star in season 7 of FOX's MasterChef. The premiere is set for 7:00 p.m.

Coleman will go head to head against three other firefighters -- two from New York City and the third from Orlando, Florida.

"When I was going into the competition, I just felt like, 'Man, I'm the only one from Milwaukee! This is awesome for the city,'" said Coleman.

Frederick Coleman

If Coleman's name sounds familiar to you, that might be because FOX6 News profiled him back in July 2015. This, after he suffered a bullet graze wound to the head while responding to a medical call near 40th and Lisbon. Coleman didn’t even realize he had been injured until after he took care of his patient.

"Hit the side of the my head -- grazed right above my ear," said Coleman.

Coleman was not seriously injured. But he says the experience has forced him to take his opportunities much more seriously than he otherwise may have.

"Let me see if I can get this food thing going. I've been talking about this food thing for years. Maybe this is, you know, that opportunity," said Coleman.

Coleman says he's interested in helping any young chefs who might be interested in the upcoming MasterChef Junior auditions.