Gordon Ramsay breaks down in tears over 'devastating' loss of MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo

Celebrity chefs have paid tribute to late MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo, who died last week at the age of 46.

Gordon Ramsay broke down in tears as he remembered the chef, saying it still felt too ‘painful’:

Scottish chef Zonfrillo – who was best known for being a judge on MasterChef Australia – died on 30 April, with a statement from his family saying they had ‘completely shattered hearts’.

“We are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday," they said.

“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words.

"For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.

“We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”

A special edition of Network 10’s The Sunday Project brought a number of the industry’s biggest names together to honour the late star, including Brits Marco Pierre White, Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.

Gordon Ramsay was also among those to remember Zonfrillo, becoming visibly upset as he tried to share his tribute.

“Spending time on the floor with Jock in MasterChef was electrifying but it was always something quite encouraging about the s**t you’d — we’d gone through to get to where we’d been,” he said.

“Plus it was an incredible stage that you’re on with MasterChef Australia. It’s the most-watched MasterChef anywhere on the planet, so it’s a privilege.

“And being present in that room, welcoming Jock to the platform, was just one of those experiences I’ll never forget.”

Tearing up, Ramsay continued: “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...”

He stopped as he tried to compose himself, adding: “Sorry. It’s just so painful.”

Oliver said that Zonfrillo’s superpower was his ‘curiosity’, explaining: “He was super curious and fascinated in people, food, travel.

“He did what he did by doing. Like seeing is believing, actions speak louder than words.

"That's kind of Jock, right?”

Lawson said her heart ‘breaks’ for Zonfrillo’s four children, while White said that Zonfrillo had qualities that ‘very few chefs possess’, saying his persona ‘will never die’.

“He will live on through everyone he touched," he 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.”