Gordon Ramsay and chef mates catch up to remember Jock Zonfrillo

Celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, George Calombaris, Shannon Bennett and Matt Moran catch up for a boozy luncheon in honor of the late Jock Zonfrillo

Gordon Ramsay joined some of Australia’s best-known celebrity chefs for a booze lunch in Melbourne to celebrate the life of their late friend Jock Zonfrillo.

Zonfrillo, an award-winning restaurateur and judge at MasterChef Australia, died of natural causes on April 30 at the age of 46.

Ramsay reunited with his buddies George Calombaris, Shannon Bennett and Matt Moran on Sunday for a bittersweet catch-up while they exchanged stories about Zonfrillo over a snack and a drink.

Bennett, 47, posted a photo to Instagram of the four chefs posing at the venue, captioning it: ‘That hangover was for you, Jock Zonfrillo mate. RIP brother.’

The four men stood before one table with several empty wine glasses on it.

Gordon Ramsay joined some of Australia’s best-known celebrity chefs at a boozy luncheon in Melbourne on Sunday to celebrate the life of their late friend Jock Zonfrillo. (From left on photo: Shannon Bennett, George Calombaris, Ramsay and Matt Moran)

Calombaris, 44, also posted a photo of the group, writing: ‘A great dinner with some beautiful people. I love you guys.’

Their luncheon took place hours before The Sunday Project aired a special tribute to the late Zonfrillo ahead of the premiere of his final season of MasterChef Australia.

Nigella Lawson and Marco Pierre White were among those who shared their memories during the emotional episode.

Ramsay reunited with George Calombaris, Shannon Bennett and Matt Moran for a bittersweet catch up as they exchanged stories about Zonfrillo over food and various drinks

Ramsay reunited with George Calombaris, Shannon Bennett and Matt Moran for a bittersweet catch up as they exchanged stories about Zonfrillo over food and various drinks

Ramsay, 56, burst into tears as he described how Zonfrillo “lit up the kitchen.”

“The ripples have been devastating. No one gets over this quickly. If there’s one thing we’ve done as chefs is we’ve united and we’re talking about the good times,” he said, fighting back tears.

‘S**t. Sorry. It’s just so painful. That’s all,’ he added.

Bennett, 47, posted a photo to Instagram of the four chefs posing at the venue, captioning it: 'That hangover was for you, Jock Zonfrillo mate.  RIP brother.'

Bennett, 47, posted a photo to Instagram of the four chefs posing at the venue, captioning it: ‘That hangover was for you, Jock Zonfrillo mate. RIP brother.’

Australian chef Curtis Stone remembered Zonfrillo as a “kind, honest, sincere and honest” man.

With a wry laugh, Stone called the plain-spoken Scot someone who “treated everyone with respect – unless they didn’t deserve it, then he wouldn’t.”

Zonfrillo passed away on April 30 at the age of 46. He is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.

Zonfrillo (pictured in 2017) died on April 30 at the age of 46.  He is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old daughters.  -old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried

Zonfrillo (pictured in 2017) died on April 30 at the age of 46. He is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old daughters. -old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried