The dreams of a former MasterChef contestant to open a taqueria in west Suffolk could soon become a reality.

Hannah Gregory announced at the start of February that a new taqueria, Tacor, could open behind The Beerhouse in Bury St Edmunds this year if the money could be raised to make it viable within a month.

Now, with one week left to raise the £25,000 needed to open the taqueria, the total stands at £20,329.

Kickstarters rely on all-or-nothing funding, which means that if Miss Gregory doesn't reach the target in a week, anyone who has contributed financially will get their money back.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hannah Gregory is fundraising to open Tacor in Bury St EdmundsHannah Gregory is fundraising to open Tacor in Bury St Edmunds (Image: Hannah Gregory via Instagram)

"It is a big target, but I knew I had to go for it," said Miss Gregory.

"The support I received in the first week of the Kickstarter with the videos I was posting on social media going viral was amazing.

"People have been so lovely and local chefs have been backing me and offering their time and help."

Miss Gregory dreamed of opening a traditional taqueria after spending time travelling around Mexico, and experience she described as a "culinary revelation," and sparked an "obsession" with learning about Mexican food.

East Anglian Daily Times: Miss Gregory has been experimenting with taco flavours, including scallops with a sweetcorn pureeMiss Gregory has been experimenting with taco flavours, including scallops with a sweetcorn puree (Image: Hannah Gregory)

READ MORE: Former Masterchef contestant teases taco menu for upcoming restaurant

"It has always been a dream of mine to open a taqueria," she said.

"It was in my five to ten-year plan, and then I bumped into the owner of The Beerhouse in town, who offered me the empty space behind the pub.

"The more I thought about it, the more excited I was, and the five-year plan became a five-month plan!"

East Anglian Daily Times: Some wild garlic and pheasant tacosSome wild garlic and pheasant tacos (Image: Hannah Gregory)

Miss Gregory even cooked tacos as her audition dish for MasterChef in 2020, the series in which she placed as a quarter-finalist. 

If the fundraising is successful, several local chefs including Greig Young, Adam Spicer, James Jay and Rowan Halstead are lined up to cook at pop-ups at the restaurant.

Those looking to contribute to the Kickstarter can find all the information on Hannah Gregory's Instagram, WanderSups.