Cesar Cano was surprised the first time he was recognized in Houston from his long run on Fox's "MasterChef" amateur cooking competition.

"I was more nervous than the person who came up to me," said the 33-year-old English teacher at Pasadena Memorial High School, recalling the encounter at a Midtown bar. "Now every time I go out at least one or two people stop me and ask for a picture and talk about the show. Never in my life did I think I'd have fans. Or haters, too."

Cano might as well get used to the recognition that has come with being a contestant on the reality TV show. Because he has a good chance of winning.

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On Wednesday night he and two other contestants, Ashley Mincey of Opa-Locka, Fla., and Gerron Hurt of Louisville, Ky., advanced to the show's finale which will be aired on Sept. 19. The winner will receive a $250,000 grand prize and the title of MasterChef.

The last time a Houston contestant did so well on "MasterChef" was in 2012 when Christine Ha, the show's first blind contestant, won Season 3. She went on to author a cookbook and is set to open her first restaurant, The Blind Goat, at Houston's Bravery Chef Hall later this year.

The odds of a Houston contestant advancing this season were good. Houston was represented by five amateur cooks, including Taylor Waltmon, Chelsea Sargent, Ralph Xavier Degala and Ryan Cortez, among the show's 24 contestants.

Cano has proved to be a soft-spoken but formidable contender on "MasterChef," advancing steadily though the competition. With each new challenge, he learned something, he said.

"It was definitely a humbling experience in certain regards. You walk in with a certain level of confidence, but it can rattle you. I grew from it and proved I had resolve," he said. "It helped build my self-confidence and skills. It helped me see that the flavors that I work with can be enjoyed by others outside the Hispanic community."

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The Mexico-born Cano, who moved to Houston as a child, has championed Latin flavors throughout the competition. It also helped that his mentor, chef Aaron Sanchez, was one of the show's three hosts.

"You're a great representative for our culture and our food," Sanchez said on the show."

And he hopes he will continue to represent his culture as a chef. Cano said regardless of the competition's outcome he plans to pursue a culinary career. "I want to use this opportunity to see what I can give to the culinary world."

That world is strong in Houston where he counts James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega as his favorite Houston chef. Cano said he's proud to represent Houston as one of the most diverse and exciting food cities in America.

"There were five Houston cooks this season. To be the last one standing – it's an honor to represent a city as electrifying and eclectic as Houston," he said. "To be able to be a part of and a voice in that – I'm thrilled and excited. I'm honored."

"MasterChef" two-hour season finale will air on Fox on Sept. 19, 7 to 9 p.m.

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Follow him on the podcast BBQ State of Mind to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.