FREEBURG, Ill. – Austin Beckett is the newest winner of Next Level Chef and his hometown community of Freeburg, Illinois, could not be prouder. 

The 32-year-old cook told FOX 2 he began teaching himself to cook as a kid when his mom and dad were often away at work.

“When I was at my friend’s houses, I saw how other moms cooked, and I saw what I never had,” Beckett said previously. “A family moment I never had that was communal and centered around a table together.”

FOX 2 caught up with his fans today at Next Up Sports Bar and Grill to get their reactions.

“It’s, like really nice to be noticed as a small town and have somebody from our area be recognized for their talent,” said Brynne Sanders, a supporter of Austin.

Beckett said he frequently watched many of Gordon Ramsay’s cooking shows, including “Next Level Chef,” with his wife before he applied to cook on the show.

“He’s an amazing kid.  He always puts his heart and soul into everything he does.  And I’m…I’m amazed,” admired Austin’s father, Shawn Beckett.