Julie Goodwin shared how Jock Zonfrillo stood by her as she struggled with her mental health.
The MasterChef winner, who appeared on The Sunday Project this weekend, who appeared on MasterChef: Fans V Faves with Jock in 2022, says the late chef was always there for her.
“It was Jock with his openness about his own struggles that really became a big part of my healing journey,” the 52-year-old said, bursting into tears.
“He saw the struggle I was fighting. He met me there and he made up for me being here. He was just generous’.
Julie went on to explain the powerful impact the Scottish chef had on people in his life.
Julie Goodwin shared how Jock Zonfrillo (pictured) stood by her as she struggled with her mental health
“When you cook for people, you influence the people who eat your food, but when you teach people and mentor people and when you lift people up and send them out into the world, you influence everyone,” she said.
The chef went on to explain that she will be watching the new season of MasterChef in Jock’s honor.
“With sadness in my heart, but with great respect and great love, I will watch and I’m not sure how I’ll make it,” she said.
“I’m not sure how any of us will manage, but I believe letting him educate and lift people up this season is the right thing to do.”
Julie has been open about her battle with anxiety and depression following her drunk driving arrest five years ago.
The MasterChef winner, who appeared on The Sunday Project, who appeared on MasterChef: Fans V Faves with Jock in 2022, says the late chef was always there for her
It was Jock with his openness about his own struggles that really became a big part of my healing journey,” the 52-year-old said, bursting into tears. “He saw the struggle I was fighting. He met me there and he made up for me being here. He was just generous’
‘[My mental health] was a huge discussion when I was asked to do [MasterChef],” the cookbook author explained.
“I didn’t just say yes. I talked to my family, I talked to my psychologist, and it was a decision that was made in a very deliberate way, because at the end of the day, I didn’t want to be back at the bottom of a dark place,” she continued .
The mother of three, who spent five weeks in a mental health facility in 2020, worked out a strategy for coping in case things got too tough mentally.
“They bypassed the movie schedule so I can still make my psychology appointments and get out early in the morning to do my exercises. They are in constant contact with me to make sure everything is okay,” she said.
“When you cook for people, you influence the people who eat your food, but when you teach people and mentor people and when you lift people up and send them out into the world, you influence everyone,” she added.
Julie was dubbed a “national treasure” by fans, having first won the show in 2009.
Jock Zonfrillo said goodbye in an emotional service on Saturday, with prominent celebrities and chefs gathering around his heartbroken family to pay tribute.
The MasterChef judge, who died on April 30 at the age of 46, was buried Saturday in a private funeral in Sydney surrounded by 200 family members and friends.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health problems, please contact Lifeline or Beyond blue.
Jock Zonfrillo said goodbye in an emotional service on Saturday, with prominent celebrities and chefs gathering around his heartbroken family to pay tribute. Pictured with wife Laurem Fried and children Alfie, six, and Isla, two