MasterChef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen pay tribute to Jock Zonfrillo following shock death

MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong has posted on social media following yesterday’s shock death of fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo.

MasterChef Australia judge Melissa Leong has posted on social media following yesterday’s shock death of fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo.

She spoke about the impact the late chef had on her life in a lengthy post.

“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,” she said.

“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.

Melissa Leong posted a tribute on Instagram.

“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.”

Fellow judge Andy Allen has also broken his silence today.

In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Allen spoke lovingly of the friendship they formed outside the series and how much Zonfrillo’s wife, Lauren, and kids Alfie, 5, and Isla, 2, have impacted him and his wife, Alex Davey.

“When I met you 5 years ago I knew our lives were about to change forever,” Allen began. “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.”

MasterChef judge Andy Allen pays tribute to Jock Zonfrillo following shock death

Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo with their spouses.

Allen and Zonfrillo met when they were both brought on to judge the popular cooking show in 2019 alongside Melissa Leong – replacing the show’s original hosts, Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan. They quickly became firm friends.

“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,” Allen continued.

“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.”

MasterChef judges became good friends onscreen and off.

Allen said he will remember the laughs they shared together and will never forget the times Zonfrillo was there for him during trying times.

“Thanks for making me constantly laugh and being there when I needed to cry,” Allen added. “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.”

The celebrated chef died on Sunday on what was the eve of the new season of MasterChef Australia. The show was immediately postponed for one week by Network 10 after his family confirmed the death in a heartbreaking statement.

The new season of MasterChef has been postponed for one week.

“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,” the statement read. “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.”