Winner of MasterChef Australia 2023 announced as Jock Zonfrillo’s final emotional episode airs
MasterChef Australia 2023 winner announced as Jock Zonfrillo’s emotional final episode airs following beloved judge’s tragic death
Brent Draper was crowned the winner of the 2023 season of MasterChef Australia in an emotional grand finale episode on Sunday night.
He walks away with the title of MasterChef and $250,000 in prize money.
The former tradie took scores and eight and nine out of ten across the board from the judges for his final dish, beating runner-up Rhiannon Anderson.
‘What a journey. You know, from the first season until now… MasterChef is such a big thing in my life right now. It changed my life,” Brent said after his win.
“It put me on a different path, made me learn new things about myself and, oh man, I’m just so, so, so proud,” he continued.
Brent Draper (pictured) was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia’s 2023 season in an emotional grand finale episode on Sunday night
Brent made history on MasterChef Australia three years ago when he became the first person to voluntarily leave the show in Season 13.
At the time, he swallowed his tears when he announced that the pressure was too much for him and he wanted to leave to protect his sanity.
The chef told The Daily Telegraph in April that he was ready to make a comeback after seeing a doctor and psychologist regularly since leaving the show in 2020.
“I have some unfinished business here. I’ve done all the hard work mentally,” he said.
He walks away with the title of MasterChef and $250,000 in prize money. The former tradie took scores and eight and nine out of ten across the board from the judges for his final dish, beating runner-up Rhiannon Anderson. Pictured with Rhiannon and judges Andy Allen, Jock Zonfrillo and Melissa Leong
“I’ve got my, sort of, toolbox and I now understand what I went through, I understand fear, and I’m a different person to that experience, that first season of MasterChef.”
The finale also marked the last episode chef Jock Zonfrillo taped before his death in May.
The show ended with a montage of some of Jock’s highlights on the series, and a touching moment came in the form of his final goodbye.
“For the last time, go home, make yourself a cup of tea, put your feet up, be nice to each other and we’ll see you back here tomorrow,” Jock was heard saying as a photo of the cast and crew appeared on screen .
Brent made history on MasterChef Australia three years ago when he became the first person to voluntarily leave the show
Jock died on April 30 in his hotel room at Zagame’s House on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne and was found by police around 2am on Monday, May 1.
The tragic loss came on the same day Channel Ten was set to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia.
He is survived by his third wife Lauren, and his four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages and Alfie and Isla with Lauren.
The media personality was slated for several publicity assignments for season 15 of MasterChef when he passed away suddenly.
The finale was the last episode Jock taped before his death in May