‘I have a lot of work to do’: What’s next for SA’s aspiring Nigella

MasterChef finalist Malissa Fedele may have been eliminated from the series, but the Adelaide-based nutritionist is still cooking with gas.

Ousted MasterChef finalist Malissa Fedele has paid tribute to her “mentor” Jock Zonfrillo, thanking him for helping to bring out the best in the contestants.

Adelaide-based Fedele was eliminated from the reality cooking series on Sunday night after a self-confessed “wild rollercoaster ride” of a season.

The nutritionist described MasterChef as the “biggest blessing”, in particular her time with late judge Zonfrillo, who died just prior to the show’s premiere in May.

“I feel very grateful to have had the chance to be mentored by Jock. We all shared such a special time with Jock and all have very fond memories of him,” said Fedele, one of two SA contestants in the top 18.

Eliminated MasterChef contestant Malissa Fedele has paid tribute to her “mentor” Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: Channel 10

Andy Allen, Luke Nguyen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo for MasterChef. Picture: Supplied

“He was not only a highly accomplished chef who was so well respected within the industry but he was also a wonderful person. He believed in all of us contestants and pushed us to bring out the best in us.

“It was the most incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

With aspirations of becoming the next Nigella Lawson, Fedele’s business, Good Day Wellness, recently launched a new nutrition and lifestyle journal to promote “healthy habits and calm the mind”.

She’ll also introduce cooking classes and her “Mood Boosting Meals”.

“You will be seeing a lot of recipe content from me as well as a cookbook (hopefully) in the near future,” she said.

“My dream would be to one day have a cooking show and be as influential as Jamie Oliver or Queen Nigella when it comes to healthy, nourishing, simple and mood-boosting cooking at home. So I have a lot of work to do.”