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Melissa Leong, Andy Allen remember Jock Zonfrillo…

"I could never have guessed how much of an impact your arrival in my life would have, or that we would be saying goodbye to you so soon."

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MasterChef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen have paid tribute to colleague Jock Zonfrillo, who died suddenly on Monday aged 46.

In an Instagram post Melissa Leong said, “Four years ago, the three of us stood on a precipice and leapt together. I could never have guessed how much of an impact your arrival in my life would have, or that we would be saying goodbye to you so soon. You were always supposed to be the bulletproof one who outlived us all.

“In that time, you showed me what true excellence looks like both in the kitchen and outside of it; your kindness and generosity, the many lives you’ve lived, the way you carried far more on your shoulders than most could ever know.

“Thank you for challenging me daily, for making me better, my work buddy and friend, purveyor of excellent morning coffees, hater of pears, okra and nasturtiums.

“This all feels too raw to process still, I suspect it will for some time. Such is the impact of a life lived so large, with so much levity and entirely on your own terms.

“My heart goes out to your family, who were and are your life.

“A wee dram for you today, and always.”

Andy Allen, also on Instagram, wrote: “When I met you 5 years ago I knew our lives were about to change forever. What I didn’t realise is how close Alex and I would become outside of the kitchen with you, Lauren and your kids.

“You’ve become such an inspirational and important part of our lives. Sure, you’ve taught me so much about food, but it’s the lessons I learnt about what it means to be a great father, husband and friend that I’ll take away from our time together and will last forever.

“I’ll miss the way you mentored me and every contestant that walked into the MasterChef kitchen, I’ll miss you ordering the entire menu no matter how many dishes deep and making me eat every last bite, I’ll miss your morning on-set coffees that made me shake from the amount of caffeine you were able to extract out of every individual bean, I’ll miss the morning FaceTimes with Loz, Alfie and Isla, but overall I’ll miss you looking out for me every single day.

“Thanks for making me constantly laugh and being there when I needed to cry. You really were the complete package mate and life will never be the same without you. I know you’ll be looking down on Loz, Ava, Sophia, Alfie & Isla. Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo ”

10 is yet to confirm plans for its completed season of MasterChef: Secrets & Surprises or primetime plans from Sunday.

3 Responses

  1. I think the best way to honour Jock would be to celebrate something he loved doing, which was MasterChef. While it might be too soon and difficult to air right now, it would be great to see him for one last season.

  2. It must be dreadful for Mel and Andy and all the production team on that show, just profoundly upsetting!
    I wonder how Channel 10 can even broadcast the new season? I guess they’ve got to respect the wishes of Jock’s widow and family, but as the next few months in their programming schedule are built around Masterchef – just a horrible quandry for them.

  3. Both tributes are beautiful. Jock’s passing is such a shock; thoughts with his family and loved ones.

    I wonder how both judges will reflect/share their thoughts when the show airs (after allowing the appropriate time for the family to grieve etc). I recall a long time ago when Graeme ‘Shirl’ Strachan suddenly passed and he was presenting Our House, each of the other presenters did a short piece to camera, sharing their personal thoughts and stories of him at the start of the very next show. Perhaps the Masterchef producers will do something similar to celebrate Jock’s life, passion and influence.

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