MasterChef and The Project ratings in the wake of Jock Zonfrillo’s death

MasterChef returned last night after Jock Zonfrillo's death and both it and The Project clocked up a ratings high.

Channel 10’s tribute to Jock Zonfrillo was a ratings winner last night as both The Project and MasterChef drew in audiences.

The delayed season premiere of MasterChef ranked third for the evening, clocking 761,000 metro viewers. It beat out its timeslot rivals Seven’s Farmer Wants a Wife (609,000) and Nine’s Lego Masters (576,000). Only two news programs had higher ratings for the night.

It was the most viewers to tune into a MasterChef premiere since 2020, which attracted 1.23 million viewers. That was the year Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen took over hosting and judging duties on the fan favourite series, and it debuted in the middle of the first lockdown.

The 2021 premiere was watched by 670,000 viewers while the 2022 one had 545,000 viewers.

MasterChef rated 761,000 metro viewers. Picture: Channel 10

The Project on Sunday was an hour-long tribute to Zonfrillo, including an extended interview with Allen, plus appearances from Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White, Curtis Stone, Maggie Beer, Rebecca Gibney and Jimmy Barnes.

The episode rated 611,000 viewers and was ranked fourth for the evening. It more than doubled the previous week’s 298,000 viewers.

Channel 10 faced an unprecedented challenge on Monday when Zonfrillo suddenly died. It was the morning of the premiere for its 2023 season.

The network immediately pulled scheduled episodes from its line-up, replacing it with streaming series The Bridge. It announced on Wednesday the series would premiere on Sunday, a decision it said it made in consultation with Zonfrillo’s family.

It said in a statement at the time, “Jock Zonfrillo took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and, of course, inspiring a nation of home cooks.

Andy Allen sat down with The Project to talk about Jock.

“It is with Jock in our hearts that we cherish this season and remember the charismatic and big-hearted judge and chef who we knew and loved. Jock will be remembered in the MasterChef Australia kitchen for years to come.”

Zonfrillo, 46, was found in the early hours of Monday morning at a hotel in Carlton, Melbourne. The police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Before he joined MasterChef as a judge, he made guest appearances on the show in his capacity as chef of Orana in South Australia, which had been awarded Australia’s best restaurant by Good Food and Gourmet Traveller.

Andy, Jock and Melissa joined MasterChef in 2020.

His family said in a statement last night, “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.”

Jock Zonfrillo had four children, including son Alfie. Picture: jockzonfrillo/facebook

Allen last night on The Project shared that he had seen Zonfrillo the day before his death. The pair caught up for a three-hour lunch and “talked each other’s ear off”.

“It was so normal, he was in such good spirits,” he said. “He was so excited about the show launching.”

Pierre-White added, “Jock Zonfrillo will never die. He will live on through everyone he touched. He lives within us, and everybody who watches that show, a little piece of him will be still in there. That’s the truth.”