‘The moment MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo ripped me to shreds’

Entertainment writer Jonathon Moran tells how a recent MasterChef pressure test revealed Jock Zonfrillo was tough but fair. See the video.

Just a few weeks ago, Jock Zonfrillo ripped me to shreds, lambasting me for burning a salted caramel sauce on the set of MasterChef.

The truth is I was pretty chuffed about it, proud to have drawn such a strong response from the seasoned chef. We joked about it later.

You see, in this job as an entertainment journalist, we get to do many money can’t buy experiences. And as a terrible cook, I can say, that going on the set of MasterChef alongside 11 other media and foodie influencers ahead of its 15th season in a real life pressure test was both daunting and exciting.

The set was exactly as you’d imagine – Zonfrillo stood alongside fellow judges Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.

We were tasked with creating ‘the MasterChef brownie’ from scratch. For someone that has not actually used their oven since moving in to my newly renovated home 18 months ago, there was a chance it would not go well.

We weren’t close friends but in my job, I had the pleasure of spending time with Zonfrillo on a number of occasions.

He had a rare presence. He wore his heart on his sleeve. You knew when he liked something and you knew when he didn’t.

MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo was a commanding figure on television and in person. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for AFI

Regardless, he never talked down to people. Slogging it out trying to figure out how to make a brownie, he stood over my cooking station and joked about the fact that I didn’t know the difference between the brownie or the salted caramel sauce recipe.

He was a commanding figure on television and in person. And while perplexed by my complete lack of skill in a kitchen, he offered a smile and an encouraging wink as I ran like a headless chook.

Informed and personable, he was the rare type of bloke that could deliver a cutting blow while also offering a warm shoulder to lean on.

Jonathon Moran takes part in the MasterChef pressure test.

Jock Zonfrillo gives feedback to Jonathon Moran after the pressure test.

Despite having at times to be brutal in his critique, he was always constructive and therefore made sure you walked away feeling like your cup was half full, not half empty.

He was a man that lived a full life, was honest about the troubles he experienced and made you feel like you too could be a success.

When time was called on our pressure test – we had 90 minutes to make the brownie, the sauce, a raspberry jelly and plate up the dessert – I was a sweaty mess, with more of the ingredients on my apron as I’d produced on the plate.

Zonfrillo seemed to find it amusing.

Despite having at times to be brutal in his critique, Jock Zonfrillo was always constructive, says Jonathon Moran.

Producers filmed the episode so we all had content – a video and professional images – to use with our stories or on social media.

When it was my turn to present my masterpiece to the judges, I poured the full jug of sauce on the brownie. Big mistake. Zonfrillo asked: “did you make chocolate sauce?” as my offering was black and thick like tar.

To say my critique was harsh is an understatement but I was proud to have had a crack.

When I told Zonfrillo specifically that I was happy with the food I’d plated, he swapped sides with me and asked me to give him feedback as if he had presented the brownie.

So there I was, standing next to Leong and Allen, telling Zonfrillo why I loved his chocolatey salted caramel sauce.

In the end, I came third out of the 12 of us.

Third last.

Later, over a cuppa, Zonfrillo smiled and gave me a friendly nudge.

This memory will sit with me forever as I fondly recall the kind, truthful, thoughtful and playful man he was.

Originally published as ‘The moment MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo ripped me to shreds’