MasterChef Has Apparently Found Its Replacement For Judge Jock Zonfrillo
Recruitment can be tricky at the best of times – but potentially the hardest gig in recruitment right now is finding a replacement for the irreplaceable Jock Zonfrillo on MasterChef.
Jock joined the ranks with the new generation of MasterChef judges in 2019, working alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong to find Australia’s next great chef. In news that devastated fans of the show, Jock passed away earlier this year – just ahead of the latest season airing on the telly.
After a short delay, that season then rolled out in memory of Jock, with permission from the Zonfrillo family.
Now the network is trying to find a third judge to join Andy and Melissa for the new season of the show, which will be filming in a few months.
According to some ‘Channel Ten insiders’ who spoke to Woman’s Day, there is a deal in the works to secure British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in the role.
Jamie is a known face to MasterChef fans, often appearing every season as a guest judge for a specialist challenge where the contestants need to make something incredibly British. The source told Woman’s Day that the network is currently trying to lock in a $2 million deal with the chef, and while they’d love Jamie to sign on the dotted line, the deal hasn’t been confirmed just yet.
Jamie Oliver was also one of the many famous foodies to publicly pay their respects to Jock after his passing. Jamie shared the following statement on Instagram along with a selfie of them.
“Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that, I was really grateful. Melissa, Andy and Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors and each have their very own unique view and style. Jock will be so very missed. I can’t believe I’m writing this. Sending heart-felt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and his second family the master chef team and contestants,” he wrote, signing off with “love Jamie”.
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While it hasn’t been properly confirmed yet, I kind of hope Jamie is locked in for the next season of MasterChef. Despite no one really being able to replace Jock, Jamie is at least a familiar face that will bring comfort to what will be a weird first season without our favourite Scot.
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Image credit: Channel 10.