Melissa Leong pulls out of Alison Roman talk following Jock Zonfrillo’s death

Melissa Leong has pulled out of hosting the Alison Roman event at the Sydney Opera House.

Melissa Leong has pulled out of a public event in the wake of chef and MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo’s death.

Leong was to host a Q&A chat with American food writer Alison Roman at the Sydney Opera House next Tuesday evening but ticketholders were alerted the MasterChef judge and food critic won’t be in attendance.

TV presenter, writer and cookbook author Adam Liaw will fill in for Leong.

The email from the Sydney Opera House read, “Following the sad news of the passing of her colleague and friend Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong is no longer able to join Alison Roman in conversation on Tuesday, May 9.”

Melissa Leong was slated to host a conversation with food writer Alison Roman at the Sydney Opera House.

Roman is a well-known food writer who has worked for Bon Appetit and The New York Times. Her recipes were particularly popular during the Covid pandemic lockdowns. The New York Times said her shallot pasta concoction was the most read recipe on its site in 2020.

Roman is also appearing at the Melbourne Writer’s Festival, in conversation with Benjamin Law.

Leong earlier this week posted a tribute to Zonfrillo after he died on Sunday. She said of her friend and co-host, “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 bulletproof one who outlived us all.

“In that time, you showed be 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 to Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: Facebook/fooderati

“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.”

Zonfrillo was found dead at 2am on Monday morning when police performed a welfare check at a hotel in Carlton, Melbourne. He was 46 years old.

The former chef of awarded restaurant Orana joined the MasterChef cast for its 2020 season alongside Leong and Andy Allen.

The 2023 season was to premiere this past Monday night but this week’s episodes were pulled by Channel 10. The TV network announced the series will return from Sunday night, with the support of Zonfrillo’s family.