MasterChef winner Brent Draper’s message to Jock Zonfrillo

MasterChef Australia champion Brent Draper has spoken about the special connection he had with late judge Jock Zonfrillo after his big win.

This year’s MasterChef Australia winner has revealed the close connection he shared with late judge Jock Zonfrillo a day after the emotional grand finale.

Brent Draper took home the title of MasterChef champion for 2023 along with $250,000 after the show’s finale on Sunday night, but it was a moment that he described as “bittersweet”.

MasterChef’s 15th season was rocked by tragedy when Zonfrillo suddenly died on the eve of the show’s premiere on April 30.

Brent Draper described taking home the MasterChef crown as "bittersweet" due to the death of his mentor.

Judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Zonfrillo and guest Amaury Guichon on the final farewell for Jock. Supplied / MasterChef Australia

The Ten Network delayed the launch of show for a week, but it finally aired after discussions with Zonfrillo’s family for its full season.

The men formed a connection on the 2021 season of the show, after Draper pulled out of the show to deal with mental health issues. Zonfrillo, who had also battled anxiety, gave him a set of worry beads.

Draper was the surprise returnee for the season, called Secrets and Surprise.

He said he got “goosebumps” thinking about how he had won in Zonfrillo’s last season.

“I didn’t have a nonna that showed me how to cook, I didn’t have anything. I was just the battling cook and Jock became sort of my food mentor and I just always looked up to him,” he told The Project on Monday night.

“I always wanted to be like him, you know the way he is to everybody. So to get to do this last season with him and go right to the end, it’s very bittersweet.”

Project host Waleed Aly described it as "fitting" that Draper would win in Zonfrillo's last season.

This season will be the last time that judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen will be together.

Draper says he wants to put his winnings toward a cookbook that brings together mental health awareness and food.

“One sort of thing where it’d be an amazing gift to give somebody you think might be struggling a little bit,” he said.

“There’s a mental health toolbox in the back, there’s stories of people struggling, there’s food, there’s emotion, there’s everything in that.”

Zonfrillo’s death led to an outpouring of grief across Australia and from chef’s around the world including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsey.

“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,” his family said in a statement.

“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.”