Emotional Moment: MasterChef Stars Honour Jock Zonfrillo's During Logie Win
- Replies 5
In a display of unity, support, and friendship, the team behind the notable Australian TV show MasterChef celebrated their bittersweet moment of triumph at the 63rd TV WEEK Logie Awards, held in Sydney.
This selfless team paid a heartfelt homage to their lost colleague and friend Jock Zonfrillo as they accepted the award for the Most Popular Reality Program.
For some, MasterChef has always been more than a cooking show. Over the decade, it has become an emblem of camaraderie, passion, and resilience that truly resonates with anyone who's ever experienced a warmth or spark in a communal kitchen.
Jock Zonfrillo was one of the influential judges on the show who profoundly embodied these values. He tragically passed away earlier this year, leaving a void in the MasterChef family and the hearts of many fans. This esteemed Scottish-born chef and judge had left an indelible mark on the hearts of Aussies, who were so moved by his culinary artistry and warm-hearted persona.
Accepting the award, co-star Melissa Leong found herself fighting back tears as she expressed gratitude to both the cast and the audience.
With a quivering voice, she said: ‘Thank you so much to our incredible cast for constantly pouring out your hearts and souls and showing us who you are on the plate every single time’.
‘And thank you so much for the audience for sticking with us through thick and thin, especially in the year that we’ve had,’ she continued.
As the ceremony proceeded, the room was filled with a palpable sense of melancholy and profound respect and admiration for Jock Zonfrillo. Marty Benson, the show’s executive producer, moved up to the forefront, sharing a few words about his late mate and stellar judge.
‘As I stand here tonight, it’s still hard to believe that my mate and our amazing judge, Jock, is no longer with us,’ he said, stirring emotions among the cast and audience alike.
He announced their award was 100 per cent dedicated to Zonfrillo, setting a solemn tone for the night, with a promise of celebrating the win ‘Jock-style’.
‘Please, everybody, give it up for Jock!’ He stated before the audience broke into applause.
With their win bittersweet, a MasterChef spokesman expressed shock and deep sorrow at proceeding without the esteemed chef on the team. His loss was felt deeply, his vivacious personality missing from the group.
‘It’s still incredibly shocking to us that this is going ahead without Jock,’ the spokesperson started.
‘He just had this essence that was irrepressible, and we feel it now that it’s gone and he’s not here. We don’t know what we’re going to do without him,’ they continued.
Zonfrillo, renowned for his infectious zest towards food and life, passed away just a day prior to the airing of this year's season of MasterChef.
Lauren Fried, Zonfrillo's beloved wife, permitted the season featuring the Scottish-born chef to go ahead, honouring his passion and commitment towards the show.
After his passing, co-judge Melissa Leong paid a poignant tribute on social media, sharing: ‘Four years ago, the three of us stood on a precipice and leapt together,’ and added a throwback photo from their debut season as MasterChef judges in 2019 alongside Andy Allen.
‘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 wrote.
While we take a moment to remember the stellar chef and breathe a sigh of sadness for his untimely departure, let's celebrate his life and achievements by living out his passion for food.
Want to try your hand at being a MasterChef yourself? Jock Zonfrillo once shared a few tips on how to make a quick and easy traditional Italian carbonara that’s sure to become a smashing success when you have guests over. You can read more about this here.
What are your thoughts on this, members? Leave us a comment below and share some of your brilliant recipes in honour of the late Jock Zonfrillo.
This selfless team paid a heartfelt homage to their lost colleague and friend Jock Zonfrillo as they accepted the award for the Most Popular Reality Program.
For some, MasterChef has always been more than a cooking show. Over the decade, it has become an emblem of camaraderie, passion, and resilience that truly resonates with anyone who's ever experienced a warmth or spark in a communal kitchen.
Jock Zonfrillo was one of the influential judges on the show who profoundly embodied these values. He tragically passed away earlier this year, leaving a void in the MasterChef family and the hearts of many fans. This esteemed Scottish-born chef and judge had left an indelible mark on the hearts of Aussies, who were so moved by his culinary artistry and warm-hearted persona.
In a truly touching display of camaraderie and respect, the team at MasterChef Australia paid a heartfelt homage to Jock Zonfrillo. Credit: Shutterstock
Accepting the award, co-star Melissa Leong found herself fighting back tears as she expressed gratitude to both the cast and the audience.
With a quivering voice, she said: ‘Thank you so much to our incredible cast for constantly pouring out your hearts and souls and showing us who you are on the plate every single time’.
‘And thank you so much for the audience for sticking with us through thick and thin, especially in the year that we’ve had,’ she continued.
As the ceremony proceeded, the room was filled with a palpable sense of melancholy and profound respect and admiration for Jock Zonfrillo. Marty Benson, the show’s executive producer, moved up to the forefront, sharing a few words about his late mate and stellar judge.
Jock Zonfrillo photographed while on the set of MasterChef. Credit: Zonfrillo/Instagram
‘As I stand here tonight, it’s still hard to believe that my mate and our amazing judge, Jock, is no longer with us,’ he said, stirring emotions among the cast and audience alike.
He announced their award was 100 per cent dedicated to Zonfrillo, setting a solemn tone for the night, with a promise of celebrating the win ‘Jock-style’.
‘Please, everybody, give it up for Jock!’ He stated before the audience broke into applause.
With their win bittersweet, a MasterChef spokesman expressed shock and deep sorrow at proceeding without the esteemed chef on the team. His loss was felt deeply, his vivacious personality missing from the group.
‘It’s still incredibly shocking to us that this is going ahead without Jock,’ the spokesperson started.
‘He just had this essence that was irrepressible, and we feel it now that it’s gone and he’s not here. We don’t know what we’re going to do without him,’ they continued.
Zonfrillo, renowned for his infectious zest towards food and life, passed away just a day prior to the airing of this year's season of MasterChef.
Lauren Fried, Zonfrillo's beloved wife, permitted the season featuring the Scottish-born chef to go ahead, honouring his passion and commitment towards the show.
After his passing, co-judge Melissa Leong paid a poignant tribute on social media, sharing: ‘Four years ago, the three of us stood on a precipice and leapt together,’ and added a throwback photo from their debut season as MasterChef judges in 2019 alongside Andy Allen.
‘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 wrote.
While we take a moment to remember the stellar chef and breathe a sigh of sadness for his untimely departure, let's celebrate his life and achievements by living out his passion for food.
Want to try your hand at being a MasterChef yourself? Jock Zonfrillo once shared a few tips on how to make a quick and easy traditional Italian carbonara that’s sure to become a smashing success when you have guests over. You can read more about this here.
.png){kind=icon}
