"So painful": Gordon Ramsay overwhelmed by MasterChef tribute
The late Jock Zonfrillo has been remembered in a heartfelt tribute from friends, fellow chefs, and TV personalities on a special episode of The Sunday Project.
The likes of Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White represented the culinary world as they honoured their late friend, with the former moved to tears while opening up about the “good times” they’d shared together - both on and off the Masterchef Australia set.
“Spending time on the floor with Jock in MasterChef was electrifying,” he shared, “but it was always something quite encouraging about the s**t we’d gone through to get to where we’d been.
“Plus it was an incredible stage that you’re on with MasterChef Australia. It’s the most-watched MasterChef anywhere on the planet, so it’s a privilege.
“And being present in that room, welcoming Jock to the platform, was just one of those experiences I’ll never forget.”
“Being in the [Masterchef] environment sort of took us back 20 years,” he added, “there’s something quite amazing about two Scotts coming together in Australia, it makes you happy, at the end of the day you feel good.”
“The ripples have been devastating,” Ramsay revealed. “No-one’s gonna get over this quickly.
“If there’s one thing that we’ve done as chefs, we’ve united. And we’re talking about the good times, so.”
It was then that the world-renowned chef had to pause, overcome with emotion, before he managed to share, “it’s just so painful.”
And when it came to Zonfrillo’s enduring legacy, Ramsay noted that his late friend and fellow Scot was “never done as a chef, he still had years to go.”
“His legacy’s gonna be that kilt,” he added, tears in his eyes, “and just what he stood for.”
Chef Marco Pierre White had similar sentiments in mind when it was his turn to speak about their friend, sharing his belief that “Jock Zonfrillo will never die. He will live on through everyone he touched.
“He lives within it, us, and everybody who watches that show, a little piece of him will be still in there. That‘s the truth.”
It was a statement that rang true with fans and supporters of both Zonfrillo and the show, with many taking to social media in response to the tribute, sharing their grief and sympathy for all who’d known and loved him.
“Heart wrenching,” one said. “I will watch this series one day but not now I just can’t. A lovely tribute”.
“Rest in peace Jock , you will be remembered as a legend forever,” one wrote.
“Beautiful tribute to Jock tonight. Like so many others I felt like I lost a friend despite never having met him. Hope his beautiful family find some solace over time in everyone's words about their experience with this remarkable man,” shared another. “Vale Jock Zonfrillo.”
Image: The Project / Ten