Gordon Ramsay breaks down in tears as he shares an emotional tribute to Jock Zonfrillo

The Sunday Project paid special tribute to the late Jock Zonfrillo ahead of the premiere of his final season of MasterChef Australia.

Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson and Marco Pierre White were among those sharing their precious memories during the emotional episode.

Celebrity chef Ramsay broke down in tears as he described the profound effect that Jock’s death has had on the cooking world. 

‘The ripples have been devastating. No-one’s gonna get over this quickly. If there’s one thing that we’ve done as chefs is we’ve united and we’re talking about the good times. So… Yikes’ he said, breaking down. 

‘Sorry. It’s just so painful. That’s all. If I could say one last thing. Mate, love ya. Miss ya. And that next glass of whisky, it’s dedicated to you, mate. I’ll miss you.

‘He did a lot on this planet, and it’s time for him to rest.’

Marco Pierre White said in his own tribute that will live on through MasterChef.

‘Jock Zonfrillo will never die. He will live on through everyone he touched’ the British chef said.

‘He lives within us, and everybody who watches that show, a little piece of him will be still in there. That’s the truth.’

Jamie Oliver also took part in the dedication, saying, ‘He loved Australia so much. He was special. But I think what people don’t know is how much he cared. 

‘You know, like how much he really did care about his craft and the people around him. He was a very, very honest, genuine man’

Beloved British chef Nigella said in a clip: ‘My heartbreaks as I’m sure everyone’s does for Jock’s children’ 

‘And his family and everyone who loved him of course. This is an old-fashioned phrase here but – may his memory with a blessing.’

Designer Collette Dinnigan also shared a tribute, saying: ‘What a great provider and a great chef he was. He was truly world class. 

‘He had so much energy and the saddest thing for me, he had a big life but he had an even bigger life to still have.’

Activist Grace Tame was visibly emotional as she said:  ‘He lived for his passion, for food, for his kids. He was a legend. He was. He always will be.’

Actress Rebecca Gibney shed a few tears when remembering Jock, but said that he’d not want to see her cry. 

‘He brought so much joy to so many people. I think that’s hard. But I also know if he could see he tearing up he’d go, “Stop it”‘ she said. 

Singer Jimmy Barnes looked back to nights spent having a drink and a chat with the late chef.  

‘I never met a Scottish Italian before you,’ he said, addressing Jock. 

‘My heartbreaks as I’m sure everyone’s does for Jock’s children’ beloved British chef Nigella Lawson (pictured) said in a clip

Activist Grace Tame (pictured) was visibly emotional as she said: ‘He lived for his passion, for food, for his kids. He was a legend. He was. He always will be’

Designer Collette Dinnigan (pictured) also shared a tribute, saying: ‘What a great provider and a great chef he was. He was truly world class’

Singer Jimmy Barnes (pictured) looked back to nights spent having a drink and a chat with the late chef. ‘I never met a Scottish Italian before you,’ he said, addressing Jock

Tommy Little (pictured) became tearful as he recounted seeing Jock one last time before his death when he spotted the chef out at dinner with his wife Lauren Fried 

‘We hit it off in so many bloody ways. In fact, one of my fondest memories is having at the odd whisky and singing Scottish songs with you.’

Tommy Little became tearful as he recounted seeing Jock one last time before his death when he spotted the chef out at dinner with his wife Lauren Fried. 

‘The only regret I have is the last time I saw him I interrupted his dinner. He didn’t tell me to going away, but had I known you had so few dinners left with the love of your life, I never would have come over. I love you, mate. I miss you’ he said. 

Designer Collet  He had so much energy and the saddest thing for me, he had a big life but he had an even bigger life to still have.

The chef died at age 46, and is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: grown-up daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried. 

‘The only regret I have is the last time I saw him I interrupted his dinner. Had I known you had so few dinners left with the love of your life, I never would have come over,’ Tommy said. Jock and Lauren are pictured