Mrs Bracks told the Central Western Daily that if she could stay focused during tomorrow night’s final shed had a chance of taking out the top tile.

“This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity,” she said.

“I’m really excited, thrilled to have got to this point.

“I’ll be trying hard to keep everything in perspective ... I think that’s what will help me keep my nerves under wrap.”

Cooking off against Michael Weldon, Mrs Bracks will be forced to rely on her trademark steely determination as she battles to win $100,000 and a cookbook deal.

“It won’t be easy, Michael’s strength is that he won’t give up, he just keeps going and he’s got a great pallet,” she said.

After sharing a house with Mr Weldon for some six months, Mrs Bracks said she was well aware of just how skilled her competitor was.

“I’ve eaten his food, it’s good,” she said.

The mother-of-three said the support she had received from the local community had been a great confidence boost.

“It’s been such a lovely surprise that I’ve had so much support from Orange,” she said.

“Everyone’s been coming up and well-wishing,” she said.

In fact, when she was back in Orange during a break in filming this month people stopped her on the street to wish her luck, and students at her children’s school asked for autographs and photos.

“It’s incredible,” Mr Bracks said.

With a cookbook deal looming for the show’s winner it should come as no surprise to MasterChef fans that if successful Mrs Bracks’ book will focus on dessert.

“Dessert is the thing that drives me, it’s my passion,” she said.

The final will be screened on Network Ten tomorrow night at 6.30pm.