MasterChef Australia finale: Jock Zonfrillo’s wife posts heartbreaking tribute

The devastated widow of MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo posted a moving message as the show’s 2023 winner was crowned. Watch video.

The heartbroken widow of Jock Zonfrillo posted a moving video on social media ahead of the MasterChef Australia season finale.

An emotional Lauren Fried took to Instagram on Sunday evening and urged fans to join her as she watched the show for the very first time.

She revealed that she hadn’t been able to watch any of the current MasterChef Australia season but her family was going to watch the finale to honour the late chef’s memory.

Lauren Fried has shared an emotional tribute to Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: @zonfrillo

The popular Scottish chef tragically died in a Melbourne hotel room on April 30, while doing press for the new season of the cooking show.

The 46-year-old had returned briefly to Australia while leaving Lauren and their two young children Alfie, five, and Isla, two, back in Italy where they had been holidaying.

“As a family we’re going to try to watch it,” Ms Fried said in an emotional Instagram Reel shared on her late husband’s account.

“We haven’t been able to watch this season just yet – that is something we will do.

The widow of Jock Zonfrillo says she hasn’t been able to watch MasterChef Australia since his death. Picture: jockzonfrillo/Instagram

“We felt that tonight was an important one to watch like most families there are moments across the year that are special and we used to really enjoy watching the finale together.

“It was something Jock was really proud of. It was a job he really loved doing.

“And so we’ve decided we’re going to honour that and we’re going to keep doing what we would normally do and watch the finale together.”

Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren and kids Alfie and Isla. Picture: jockzonfrillo/Facebook

Ms Fried went on to thank fans for their kind words following Zonfrillo’s death.

“I really wanted to do this without editing, but I needed to take a minute. Thank you, everyone. I’ve loved the messages I’ve received today.

“Of course it’s made me sad, but from that comes a lot of happiness and pride for Jock. So enjoy the finale.”

She promised fans that they had not heard the last of the celebrity chef.

“This is not the end of the line for Jock,” she said.

“We have so many wonderful recipes from him, of him having fun and family stuff and I would love to share it, and I can find meaning through that.”

Jamie Oliver shared a touching message ahead of the finale. Picture: Instagram

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who appeared in the opening episode of the season, said: “Thinking of you all today … amazing message”.

Other fans sent their love to Lauren and her children as well as Jock’s older daughters Ava and Sofia.

MOVING TV TRIBUTE TO ZONFRILLO

It was a highly emotional ending for the poignant 15th season, with Brent Draper crowned the 2023 MasterChef Australia winner.

The TV finale ended with a beautiful tribute to Zonfrillo, taking viewers back to his first episode on the beloved cooking show.

The poignant throwback started with British uber chef Gordon Ramsay introducing the three new judges in 2020, as the trio walked through the famed MasterChef kitchen doors for the first time.

The three-minute montage package featured some of the award-winning chef’s highlights and emotional moments – from his wise words of advice to his frequent trips to the massive MasterChef pantry to whip up a snack to fill his famous “hollow legs” and insatiable appetite.

It ended with a picture of Zonfrillo and the tight knit MasterChef crew, with his famous farewell to each and every eliminated contestant – this time however saying “Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo”.

The late Jock Zonfrillo in his last appearance on the MasterChef series finale. Picture: Channel 10

Fans were overwhelmed with emotions by the tribute at the end of the late judge’s final ever appearance on MasterChef.

One posting “The tribute to Jock ‘tears’ … I can’t believe we won’t ever see him again. Will cherish this season forever. Congratulations Brent.”

Another added “Congratulations Brent! OMG though the ending with Jock, so bloody sad.”

“Beautiful tribute at the end,” another fan said.

“Congratulations Brent. We are the winners too because we were lucky enough to share some of the special magic that was Jock Zonfrillo.”

‘IT’S BEEN TOUGH’: WINNER GETS EMOTIONAL

Draper said he was “proud” after his epic win.

“I’m just speechless – obviously with the whole journey to get here has been two seasons and there’s just so much emotion tied up with that,” Draper said.

“So to finally get to the big dance and take it out – I’m so proud and so very happy.

“It’s a beautiful ending to a different MasterChef journey for most. There’s a lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point, you know, from the man that walked through the doors in Season 13 to the man I am today.

“There’s been a lot of growth and it’s all because of the MasterChef family and the judges.”

MasterChef Australia 2023 winner, Brent Draper. Picture. Channel 10

The former tradie, who quit the show in 2021 recognising he needed to prioritise his mental health, before returning to resume his journey on Ten’s flagship cooking show earlier this year, beat Townsville grandmother Rhiannon Anderson after a typically epic two-part grand finale.

Draper scored a total of 63/70 to take out the title over Anderson’s 52 after his recreation of his first cook back this season – pork chop with tamarind glaze, roasted cabbage and salsa – blew away judges Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.

Amaury Guichon’s gorgeous Pocket Watch dessert. Picture: Channel 10

His recreation of pastry chef superstar and new Dessert Masters judge Amaury Guichon’s gorgeous Pocket Watch dessert garnered praise from all judges.

Draper’s joy at his win was tinged with sadness over losing his mentor Zonfrillo.

He had formed strong bonds with the award-winning chef, who had always been open about his own battles with anxiety, clutching worry beads during filming and memorably handing Draper his own set when he left.

Jock Zonfrillo on MasterChef Final 2023. Picture: Channel 10

“It’s been tough for everyone who closely knew Jock to those just knowing Jock through the screen,” Draper said.

“He touched so many people so obviously the grand finale is a happy, happy night. But also, you know, it’s kind of a sad, a bittersweet night because it’s saying goodbye to Jock on MasterChef.”

Brent Draper in action in the MasterChef kitchen. Picture:, Channel 10

Draper – when it was announced he was one of the joyful surprises of this 15th season – said he wanted to buy a parcel of land in South Australia and set up a food and Airbnb business if he won. And that’s still a goal for the $250,000.

“My only issue is trying to get the wife down there during winter,” he laughs. “I absolutely loved it there and in summertime, those warmer months – it was as good as it got on our trip around Australia.”

But what’s next is preparing to become a family of four with wife Shonleigh and son Alfie.

Brent Draper with his son Alfie. Picture: Channel 10

The passionate mental health advocate also has plans to publish a recipe book.

“I want to tie mental health in with that, with stories from people and their struggles and then also a dish that they love to cook,” Draper shared.

“It will be a barbecue-style cookbook because I think men in particular probably don’t talk face-to-face too much. Or too well. But for some reason you put a pair of tongs in his hand and turn a few sausages, you can open up and have a bit of a conversation.

“So I think if I could marry the two together in a book and maybe have a mental toolbox in the back of it – that might be the sort of thing you can give as a present, if you can’t talk to them.”