There’s more to MasterChef Australia’s Jock Zonfrillo than culinary skills, as I recently discovered. Shaped by a colourful past, the popular presenter has released his autobiography.
How would you describe being a judge on MasterChef Australia?
Jock Zonfrillo: It’s been a bit of an emotional journey, to be honest. I started watching MasterChef in the UK, as a kid sitting on the carpet in the living room. So it’s kind of always been in my life, and now it’s a privilege to be a part of the Australian MasterChef brand, especially as an immigrant. But on top of that, there’s also this amazing journey happening with twenty-four contestants, all building their confidence in the kitchen. They learn new techniques and meet great chefs in a master class. For me, as a chef with thirty years experience in kitchens, I’ve spent a lot of time mentoring and this is all like a condensed version of that. I see how these contestants come a long way, both personally and professionally. I really stand with great pride at the top of that room!
Has there been a standout moment for you?
Every day there’s a moment that either drives all of us to tears, or fills us with pride. A lot of people on social media comment about a ‘sob story’, but these are people’s real stories, and for me they are important. Maybe I’m just too emotional, but I get swept up in the moment. It’s hard not to. I mean, I’ll cry at movies! So when someone’s standing in front of me talking about his or her life and family, I’m there for that. They make up the rich fabric that is MasterChef.
Renowned chef and MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo
You’re releasing your autobiography Last Shot, which includes your dark teenage years of being broke, homeless and addicted to heroin. That’s quite a backstory.
It’s an unsavoury part of my past, and not something I talk about with any kind of pride, but it happened and there’s no use trying to hide it. I don’t want my kids to go through the same path that I went down. I think there’s a benefit in talking about how you can arrive in situations like that, and how you get out of them. Especially for other parents who may struggle with their kids, or for young people who are a bit lost, and take a wrong turn. It’s easy to do and it can happen to anybody. I think that by not discussing that sort of stuff with others, no matter what it is, is quite possibly the worst thing you could do for anyone’s mental health.
“In London, Strawberry Sundae had a gay night and the atmosphere was unbelievable!”
So the book has some confronting issues?
The book has stories that were my ‘normal’, but for a reader I’d imagine they’d find it quite confronting. It did bring up a lot of emotions about a lot of stuff in my life that can only be described as making the wrong choices at the time. But it is what it is.
There are people reading this, no doubt with issues of addiction and such. What’s the best advice you could offer?
It’s all about getting the right kind of help and finding your ‘people’. I really believe that if you don’t surround yourself with your people, you’re in for a much harder journey. And anyone could fall into that category. It doesn’t matter what particular background or culture you’re from, whether you’re gay, straight or whatever. All too often, people surround themselves with the wrong friendship network, which can’t offer the right support. There’s that old saying that a problem shared is a problem halved!
Jock Zonfrillo ‘kilted up’ along with fellow MasterChef Australia hosts, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong
Have you partied at nightclubs with your gay mates?
Loads of times! I’m from the London of the Nineties, and more than half my mates were gay. It was one giant party! There was a club in London called Strawberry Sundae, that had a gay night once a month, and I’d go out with all the lads. Ultimately it wasn’t just gay people who went, but more a fifty percent mix. The atmosphere and music there was just unbelievable and so different with much more fun and laughing.
Did you have a favourite song that drew you to the dance floor?
Yes, The Power of Love by Q-Tex. It was very techno and house.
How about a music diva?
Cher and Barbra Streisand. I used to go to raves like Fantazia and Renaissance in London, where the venue would be a secret surprise. You’d have to ring a number to find out where it would be, and it would turn out to be some posh place like Dudley Hall. The DJ’s would always have remixes of Streisand and Cher.
“I’m from the London of the Nineties, and more than half my mates were gay.”
If you were gay, who would be your crush?
Tom Hardy. He’s a good-looking rooster!
You’ve been compared as a celebrity double to Michael Sheen, Andy Serkis and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark! Can you see it yourself?
(Laughing) I’ve heard a few of those. I’m not sure what to say about that, except that they’re far better looking men than me!
Who has been your greatest influence or mentor?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have numerous over the years. Some would come and go and others would be more prominent. David Auchie was my first head chef, and taught me cooking for the very first time. I have a huge amount of respect for him and remember the very first plates of food we did. People kind of reach for the super-famous names, but inevitably they are usually just the ordinary everyday people who ‘get’ you. As chefs, we get taken under the wing by new managers wanting to mentor and push us in the right direction, and I’ve been super fortunate to have about a dozen of them.
MasterChef Australia hosts, Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo
You’re always well groomed and wear great suits. Do you have any fashion tips?
My dad’s side of the family is Italian, and my Nonno (grandfather) was always immaculately dressed. He’d put on a three-piece suit just to go out and buy a newspaper. I remember looking at my Nonno, thinking how he really made an effort, and I ended up subconsciously doing the same. I’ve always worn a three-piece suit, but if I go to something formal, like a wedding, I’ll wear a kilt, which comes from my Scottish side. I know it’s painfully trendy to wear a suit jacket with a t-shirt, trainers and socks, but I like to dress properly and look after myself.
And what do you wear under the kilt?
Absolutely nothing, of course, like a true Scotsman!
Order Jock’s book Last Shot at: simonandschuster.com.au
MasterChef Australia is on Network Ten – 10 Play
Follow Jock @zonfrillo on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok
