Tearful Gordon Ramsay leads tributes to chef Jock Zonfrillo in special programme

07 May 2023 , 10:27

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Tearful Gordon Ramsay leads tributes to chef Jock Zonfrillo in special programme

Gordon Ramsay teared up as he spoke emotionally of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo in a special TV tribute.

Gordon joined Jock's former mentor, Marco Pierre White and Jamie Oliver in remembering the renowned Scottish chef, who died on Monday aged 46.

The Hell's Kitchen star, who appeared with Jock on MasterChef Australia, cried as he spoke of the restaurant owner's legacy, during a special edition of The Sunday Project, on Network 10.

"Spending time with Jock was electrifying," Gordon said, wiping away tears as he continued: "He was never done as a chef, he still had years to go."

During the special episode, which aired before the launch of season 15 of MasterChef Australia at 7.30pm Australia time, Marco described Jock as special and "rare".

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Jock Zonfrillo (right) pictured with Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Gordon Ramsay on MasterChef Australia

MasterChef Australia's series premiere had been set to air on Monday, but was pushed back to today, with the support of Jock's family following his shock death last week.

Marco gave Jock one of his first jobs in the industry, at his Hyde Park Hotel restaurant in London, leading to him turning his life around, after struggling with drug addiction in his teenage years.

Marco said: "Jock came to me when he was 17-years-old. His enthusiasm was greater than than his knowledge but it was his enthusiasm which drove him, maybe fuelled by his fears of failures, by his insecurities, which I could relate to.

Gordon teared up as he spoke of Jock (theprojecttv/Twitter)

"Few chefs have an inquisitive mind, an intellectual mind, a creative mind."

Jock moved to Australia in 2000, and learnt about First Nation cooking, opening up popular restaurant Orana in South Australia.

Marco said: "Jock was the first at what he did and people followed him and that's what makes him special. That's what makes him rare. He took risks. It was in his nature."

Speaking about spending time with Jock Gordon, who had known him for decades, said he "was just a lad, a lad that refused to get older, a lad that refused to toe the line."

Marco Pierre White paid tribute to Jock (theprojecttv/Twitter)

Chef Maggie Beer, described the dad-of-four as a "creative, warm hearted individual."

Asked about his legacy, Jamie Oliver said: "I think Jock's legacy will be his consistency and being personable, his example is his legacy."

Andy Allen, Jock's fellow MasterChef judge, shared a message from Jock's wife Lauren, during the programme.

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He told interviewer Sarah Harris: "I saw Lauren last night. They wanted me to say how much they can feel the support for Jock and themselves. They are hurting but it helps."

Andy Allen (left) shared a message from Jock's family

He added Jock’s family are "overwhelmed by how much support there has been for him and the family".

Sarah asked whether Lauren was okay, to which Andy replied: "No, she’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met, she’s lost her best friend.

"Jock’s got three daughters and he will never be able to walk them down the aisle, which means so much to Jock and Lauren. They are the things that are hurting Lauren the most."

Katherine Heslop