MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen breaks down in tearful tribute to Jock Zonfrillo

“We spend our time cooking in this kitchen and creating an energy that allows people like you to strive for excellence and succeed in everything you do,” he said of Zonfrillo.

“I learned a lot from Jock, he taught me a lot about how to be a good husband, a good son and hopefully one day a good dad. So I miss him terribly,” Alan continued, as fellow judge Poh Ling-Yeow placed a hand on his shoulder in a show of support.

Zoffilillo Died early last April 30 46 years old. He just returned Melbourne from Italy and ready to launch MasterChef AustraliaThe next day it was season 15.

back Zonrillo’s wife Having not heard from him, she contacted police and asked them to conduct a welfare check on him at the Lygon Street hotel, where they found his body.

Speaking of The Kelly and Tommy ShowAllen explained earlier that he had made the difficult decision to return to MasterChefHe reportedly decided to skip the new season of the show out of respect for his friend and co-host Australian News Network.

“It’s been almost a year. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, but sometimes it feels like a long, long time ago,” he said on the show.

“It’s hard. Really hard. I actually don’t know if I can do it (MasterChef) again.

“It felt so wrong to be without him because we loved being together so much and it meant so much to me to be back in the kitchen.

“My only fear is that I won’t be able to do it, to be who I need to be.”

While acknowledging the difficulties of returning to the series, Allen said he knew he was doing it for Zonfrillo and the legacy they created together.

“At that time … I was filled with grief,” Allen told show hosts Carly Bickmore and Tommy Little.

“I just didn’t know if I could keep going. I just didn’t know if I could do it justice and give the show what it needed because there was so much sadness in that kitchen.

“But I think that only lasted until… the first scene was tough. I was literally the only person in the kitchen. It was just me, no contestants.”

“I just didn’t know when this sadness was going to hit me, but it kept hitting me,” Allen said on the show.