Andy Allen stepped back into the MasterChef kitchen for the show’s premiere, marking his first time filming in four years without his close friend and co-host, Jock Zonfrillo.
Jock tragically passed away on April 30, 2023, a day before season 15 was set to premiere. While Jock posthumously appeared on screens for the season, this year’s season has welcomed Poh Ling Yeow, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Sofia Levin alongside returning judge Andy.
In an interview on Hit’s Carrie and Tommy, Andy reflected on Jock’s passing, and the “silver lining” he has found in his grief.
Andy explained that he and his wife used to spend a lot of time with Jock’s family, but he’s grown closer to Jock’s wife Lauren Fried and kids since his death.
“The silver lining of Jock’s passing is that it has really brought me closer to Lauren and to Alfie, and Isla and Ava, as well,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed that part of just really strengthening that relationship and being there for those guys and yeah, I hope he’s looking down and going, ‘I’m really, really proud of you of what you’ve done both with my family and then my extended family on MasterChef’.“
Jock shares how Jock’s wife Lauren is dealing
During the interview, host Carrie Bickmore asked Andy how Lauren has been dealing with the devastating loss of her husband.
“She’s such a strong beast of a woman. She surprises me so much with how she can deal with this,” he said.
“There are times when it is really tough. There are times for me when it’s really tough, but then you would multiply the amount of grief that she has to deal with on a more frequent basis, as well, and she just seems to be able to deal with it really well.
Andy said that Jock’s family values were inspiring to him, and reflected on what a good father he was.
“Me being part of his family and his kid’s lives was really special. I miss that,” he said.
“I miss Jock being a father because he really was a role model life for me as someone who doesn’t have kids but wants to have kids. I just miss seeing him with his kids that’s that’s the that’s the s**t thing for me.”
MasterChef Australia 2024 premieres on Monday, April 22 at 7:30 pm on 10 and 10Play.
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