The final MasterChef Australia episode with Jock Zonfrillo will air on Sunday night

Tears will flow on Jock Zonfrillo’s final episode of MasterChef as the series gears up for a finale without the beloved judge.

Jock Zonfrillo in latest episode of Masterchef. Picture Ch10 333.JPG

Jock Zonfrillo has sparked a sweet moment between MasterChef contestants in his final episode.

The semi-final of the show for 2023 has revealed the final two contestants who will face off for the title but also marks the last episode that was filmed before the death of judge Zonfrillo.

Brent Draper and Rhiannon Anderson are set to compete for the title of the cooking show on Sunday night, but it was Zonfrillo’s moment with eliminated contestant Declan Cleary that stole the show on Thursday.

The semi-final is the second last episode that judge Jock Zonfrillo will appear in, with the season final recorded after his death. Ten

“Declan’s had an incredible impact on a lot of people in his time in the MasterChef kitchen,” Zonfrillo said after it was announced that Cleary would not make the final two.

Zonfrillo then turned to the previous contestant, indigenous elder Robbie Cooper with whom Cleary formed a bond with, to speak about his friend.

Cooper could not hold back tears as he told the kitchen about the “amazing young guy”.

“We’ve had a special friendship and I’m very proud of him, what he did today,” Cooper said.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t make the line but these two guys, congratulations.”

Cooper broke down when asked by Zonfrillo to speak about his friend.

Sunday night’s grand finale will be tinged with sadness as it will be the final episode featuring Zonfrillo, the Scottish-born chef who became a beloved MasterChef judge.

Zonfrillo’s sudden death at the age of 46 on April 30, on the eve of the show’s season premier, shocked the country.

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.

Jock’s shock death

Network 10 and his family made the announcement in a statement on Monday May 1, just hours before the series was due to air, The show was postponed for a 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,” Jock’s 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.

MasterChef Judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen rate the final four. Picture: Ten

“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.”

His death led to an outpouring of tributes from fellow chefs from around the world, including Jamie Oliver – who appeared in the first episode of the season — and Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsey.

Zonfrillo donned a Scottish kilt for the episode.

The renowned chef established himself in Australia as the head chef at Restaurant 41 in Sydney in 2000, before going on to open Restaurant Orana in 2013.

Restaurant Orana was named as Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller in 2018 and by the Good Food Guide in 2019.

He initially worked under renowned Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White.

“Zonfrillo climbed his way to the top of the gastronomic ladder only to abdicate his position. He still inspires chefs worldwide,” Mr Pierre White said about Mr Zonfrillo in 2022.

Mr Zonfrillo grew up in Glasgow to an Italian father and Scottish mother.

He began working in kitchens as a dishwasher part-time at the age of 13 before going on to leave school to start an apprenticeship in the kitchens of the Turnberry Hotel on the west coast of Scotland.

Originally published as The final MasterChef Australia episode with Jock Zonfrillo will air on Sunday night