MasterChef judge Melissa Leong and Andy Allen breaks silence on death of Jock Zonfrillo
MasterChef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen have spoken for the first time since Jock Zonfrillo’s shock death in a Melbourne hotel.
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MasterChef judge Melissa Leong has posted a heart-felt tribute to colleague Jock Zonfrillo in her first public comments since his shock death.
“Four years ago, the three of us stood on a precipice and jumped,” she wrote on Instagram, of when she, Zonfrillo and Andy Allen became MasterChef judges.
“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,” she wrote.
“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.”
She added in the lenghty tribute that it all feels too raw to process still and that it would 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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Andy Allen broke his silence following the announcement of Zonfrillo’s death.
“When I met you 5 years ago I knew our lives were about to change forever,” Allen wrote on Instagram.
“What I didn’t realise is how close Alex (wife Alex Davey) 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”.
In the long post, Allen wrote he will “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,” he wrote
“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.”
Meanwhile, Zonfrillo’s wife and young children are expected into Melbourne on Tuesday night.
Zonfrillo’s body was found at a hotel on Lygon St, in the inner-city suburb of Carlton, about 2am Monday.
Victoria Police are yet to determine the cause of death, but have deemed it not suspicious.
Mr Zonfrillo’s wife Lauren is heading back to Australia from Rome, where she had been holidaying with the couple’s two children Isla, 2, and Alfie, 5.
Mr Zonfrillo had been in Italy with his family but had returned to Australia on his own due to commitments with MasterChef.
Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family. Jock passed away in Melbourne yesterday.
— MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau) May 1, 2023
MasterChef Australia will not air this week. pic.twitter.com/cmtDuJr19P
Speaking to Channel 7’s The Morning Show on Tuesday, entertainment reporter Peter Ford said he felt for the celebrity chef’s wife.
“Can you imagine that flight? That poor lady having 24 hours of being in the air, just imagining what she’s coming back to,” said Mr Ford.
He said Channel 10 did a good job in getting on top of the news in the hours following the discovery of Mr Zonfrillo’s body.
This one hits hard. We’re shocked and devastated by the sudden passing of our mate Jock Zonfrillo. A true legend and much loved member of the Mo family. We’ll miss that wicked sense of humour so much.
— Movember Australia (@MovemberAUS) May 1, 2023
Our hearts go out to Jock’s family, friends, and fans all over the world. pic.twitter.com/AAFzJbnV7z
“Channel 10 and the producers of MasterChef knew they probably had six to eight hours to do the things they needed to do before the story was going to leak out,” said Mr Ford.
“They kept it under wraps, they cancelled all media for all the judges.
“I had a lot of radio producers moaning to me saying, ‘Oh the MasterChef judges have dropped out’, so little did anybody know the severity of what was unfolding.
“They closed down the social media for all judges because they had a lot of stuff preloaded that was going to drop at certain times.
“And obviously first and foremost they wanted to get Lauren and the two kids on a flight heading home because, to be realistic, they are now the subject of a lot of paparazzi interest.”
DETAILS OF JOCK’S FINAL WEEKS
As the entertainment and hospitality industry reel from Zonfrillo’s death, more details have come to light about how he spent his final weeks with his family.
Production on the latest season of MasterChef Australia had wrapped about a month ago with Zonfrillo understood to have been in Europe on holiday with his family over recent weeks.
His wife, Lauren, and their two young children, Alfie, 5, and Isla, 2, remained in Rome when Zonfrillo flew home early ahead of the season 15 launch.
Zonfrillo, 46, was also father to two adult children, Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages.
He was due to take part in a round of media interviews on Monday in the lead-up to the premiere episode.
Zonfrillo was also scheduled to be a guest live in the studio on The Project on Channel 10 in Melbourne Monday night.
The celebrated chef’s body was found at 2am on Monday morning after police were called to a hotel on Melbourne's Lygon Street to perform a welfare check.
The circumstances of Zonfrillo’s death are not yet known, but it is not being treated as suspicious.
Channel 10 confirmed the devastating news in a statement from Zonfrillo’s family on Monday afternoon.
In a statement, the family wrote: “With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday.
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.
“We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”Network 10 will not air the show for a week due to Zonfrillo’s death.
In a statement the network wrote: “Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family. Jock passed away in Melbourne yesterday.
“Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son.
“Determined and talented and with plenty of grit, Jock was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother, which meant his formative years were heavily influenced by two strong cultures and it was his obsession with food and desire for a new pushbike that at just 12 years old fuelled Jock to knock on kitchen doors looking for a job.
“Jock’s love and passion for food saw him become one of the youngest culinary students to do an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at just 15 years of age. From that point onwards there was no holding him back and by 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Marco Pierre White.
“Throughout his career he worked with world famous chefs and in restaurants all over the world. His talent saw him shine in the world’s most formidable kitchens and he opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide after moving to Australia.
“Jock’s Restaurant Orana was recognised with the coveted distinction of three hats in both 2019 and 2020 and he also received global accolades, accepting the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize in 2018.
“In 2019, Jock was named as a judge on MasterChef Australia in which he took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.
“Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed.”
Paramount ANZ Executive Vice President Beverley McGarvey paid tribute to Zonfrillo, a father of four.
“This is a terribly sad day for Jock’s family and friends, his Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia colleagues and for MasterChef fans around Australia and the world,” she said.
“Jock was an extraordinary man. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and we feel very privileged to have had him play such an important and impactful role in MasterChef. Despite all his notable professional milestones, nothing brought him more joy or happiness than his family. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.”
Endemol Shine Chief Executive Officer Peter Newman also said he was shocked and saddened by the news.
“Jock was an incredible talent, not just as a renowned chef, but as someone who could bring joy into the homes of people in Australia and around the world in his role as judge on MasterChef Australia,” he said.
“On set he was loved by the team and his passion for food and the show was infectious. He was also a brilliant champion for the contestants on MasterChef, always wanting the very best for them. He will be deeply missed by the entire MasterChef team. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
In one of his final interviews, the much-loved star told National TV Writer Lisa Woolford he longed to have a “super, super simple life”.
“A small house in the middle of nowhere with kids, pets. Just a really simple, uncomplicated life away from everyone,” he said.
“But still part of a community in that remoteness I guess. But not the flashy extravagant lifestyle you’d expect from a TV person.”
TRIBUTES AFTER HEARTBREAKING LOSS
MasterChef judge Melissa Leong and co-star Andy Allen were “devastated and broken” by the death of Zonfrillo.
Network 10’s entertainment editor Angela Bishop said on The Project that the pair were “trying to process the news”.
“They would work 16 hours days together for MasterChef, you couldn’t find closer work mates and confidantes,” she said on Monday night’s episode.
“They are devastated, ‘broken’ is the word descried to me, they are trying to process this news.”
Zonfrillo, Allen and Leong were launched as MasterChef’s all-new judging panel for season 12 in 2020.
Leong posted an Instagram story promoting the planned premier before learning of her co-star’s death, saying they’re “back with a brand new pal” Jamie Oliver.
Leong also spoke on Hit WA Breakfast Monday about their close friendship before learning of his death.
“It is a loss of the member of the family here at ten … only 46 that is why this is such a shocking piece of news,” Bishop added.
“As you say, they would work 16 hours days together for MasterChef, you couldn’t find closer work mates and confidantes.”
Former MasterChef host George Calombaris said he was “so sad” in a moving tribute.
“So sad firstly for Jock’s family. Then I am sad for the team on MasterChef who I know are hurting right now.
“Guys. Hug your loved ones. Life is f----- short. RIP brother. Thank you for the memories.” British rock star chef Jamie Oliver, who was due to star as the guest on the opening show and had been heavily promoting it just hours before the news of Zonfrillo’s passing, said he was in “total shock”.
”We had the best time working together for this year’s MasterChef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him! Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful,” he posted.
Earlier, Oliver had posted a happy snap of the MasterChef Australia team just hours before the news of Zonfrillo’s tragic death emerged.
British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who worked with Zonfrillo on MasterChef Australia in 2020, said he was saddened by the devastating news.
“I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time Gx.” he posted on Twitter.
Aussie celebrity chef Matt Moran also paid a moving tribute.
“I’m lost for words, a great mate for over 20 years and one of the best chefs I have ever known,” Moran posted.
“Absolutely heartbreaking. Thoughts are with Lauren and his family. We’ll miss you chef.”
Nova radio host Chrissie Swan broke down on air as she spoke of her friend.
“He was a friend of mine, like a proper friend,” she said.
“You meet a lot of people in this business but there is a handful of people that you have a real life connection with.
“And I really enjoyed that with Jock so I am feeling really sad. We had a great show planned for you but I don’t feel that I can pretend about this one that I am not affected by it.”
Swan was a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021 alongside the likes of Rebecca Gibney, Ian Thorpe, Dami Im and series winner, Nick Riewoldt.
“I just want to tell you a bit about the Jock that I knew,” Swan said.
“Obviously he was a wonderful performer, excellent on MasterChef, such a big heart and funny, so clever but as a friend, he was always the very first and sometimes the only person that wished me luck before this show started for example.
“When I was announced as the host of The Masked Singer, he was always so supportive of me and so kind and I will really really miss him. I will really miss Jock and I will never forget the kindness and support and friendship that he gave me but also that he allowed me to give to him.”
Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little posted a shared tribute on their radio show’s Twitter page with a candid photo of the celebrated chef.
They received the heartbreaking news shortly before going on air that their friend and colleague had passed away.
We are absolutely heartbroken.
— Carrie and Tommy (@carrietommyshow) May 1, 2023
Jock Zonfrillo 1976-2023 pic.twitter.com/qMGnhCqDzQ
Zonfrillo touched not only millions of MasterChef viewers and diners with his talent and camaraderie but treated hundreds of those he crossed paths with to home-cooked meals.
Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott said he felt “lucky” to have been part of his circle.
“You’re a beautiful man Jock. Felt lucky you and your family came into our lives. Gone too soon brother,” he wrote.
Jimmy Barnes, whose family shared many home-cooked meals with the Zonfrillo family at their respective homes, said the MasterChef judge was “like a brother to me”.
The Scottish immigrants loved to cook for each other with Zonfrillo helping Barnes to perfect a gluten free pasta recipe.
“It’s a very sad day. We’ve lost another dear friend. Jock was like a brother to me and we made each other laugh and cry. My heart goes out to his family. I am speechless. Rest my friend xx,” Barnes posted.
Fellow TV chef Silvia Colloca said Zonfrillo was “so loved.”
“Holding you close in my heart, I’m so so sorry. He was so loved,” she posted on the family’s statement.
Mr Wong’s chef Dan Hong and My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge both summed up the shock of Zonfrillo’s death.
“F. k this is devastating,” he wrote.
While Fassnidge posted: “Love to his family. Sleep well my friend! I’m floored!!!!”
He also shared his tribute to his Insta story, writing “Rip my friend, hope to have a whiskey again one day.”
MasterChef contestants including Simon Toohey, who competed on the Back To Win season which marked Zonfrillo’s first year as a judge, shared condolences with the chef’s family.
“Hearts with you! All the love and support,” Toohey wrote on Zonfrillo’s Instagram page.
Minoli De Silva captured the shock of his death for the hospitality and television community.
“I am literally in so much shock and hands are shaking. This is devastating news. I am so sad to hear this news,” she posted.
If you are experiencing mental health issues contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call 000.
Originally published as MasterChef judge Melissa Leong and Andy Allen breaks silence on death of Jock Zonfrillo
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