MasterChef Australia is set to return after Jock Zonfrillo's death but are we ready for it?

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Network 10 has confirmed that the new dates for the launch of MasterChef Australia Season 15 have been announced after Jock Zonfrillo’s family gave their blessings. Jock Zonfrillo was an important part of the cooking competition and it is only respectful that the show talked to his family and took their blessing before they announced the new launch dates for the show. The filming of the show is anyways completed and along with Andy Allen and Melissa Leong, the late Jock Zonfrillo will also be part of the trio of judges. Also to show respect and gratitude to the late chef a special is set to air before the episode on current affairs show The Sunday Project.

The untimely passing of Jock Zonfrillo has left a lot of people in shock and in an interview, Chef Sarah Todd also talked about the Scottish MasterChef judge who was her mentor. Sarah Todd was one of the contestants in MasterChef that Jock Zonfrillo mentored. On getting the news of her mentor’s passing she said,” He was not just an incredible chef, but also a dear friend and mentor who had a profound impact on my life. I am heartbroken by this loss.”

Sarah Todd was not the only one who shared her grief. Fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen also took to social media to pay tribute to Jock Zonfrillo. Melissa Leong in an emotional post wrote on Instagram,” feels too raw to process still. I suspect it will for some time.” She continued with,” My heart goes out to your family, who were and are your life.” I’m not surprised Melissa Leong is shaken up by the news after all they worked very closely.

Andy Allen was also very close to Zonfrillo and he took to his social media to tell the world that it was Jock Zonfrillo who taught him how to be a great father, husband, and friend. Jock really left his mark on everyone he met in his life. Allen also wrote,” I’ll miss the way you mentored me and every contestant that walked into the MasterChef kitchen. I’ll miss you ordering the entire menu, no matter how many dishes deep, and making me eat every last bite.” Allen and Zonfrillo surely shared a special bond and MasterChef Australia won’t be the same without Jock Zonfrillo.

Jock Zonfrillo has not only left a mark on his fellow judges and the contestants he has also left a huge mark on us as well. I am sure MasterChef Australia will not be the same without him. What are your thoughts, do let us know in the comments.