Winner of MasterChef Australia 2023 announced as Jock Zonfrillo’s emotional final episode airs following the beloved judge’s tragic death
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Brent Draper was crowned the winner of MasterChef Australia’s 2023 season 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 picked up scores and eight and nine out of 10 across the board from the judges for his final dish, beating out runner-up Rhiannon Anderson.
‘What a journey. You know, from the first season to now… MasterChef is such a big thing in my life now. It changed my life,’ Brent said upon his win.
‘It put me on a different pathway, made me learn new things about myself and, oh, man, I’m just so, so, so proud,’ he went on.
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 choked back tears as he announced that the pressure was too much for him, and he wanted to leave to protect his mental health.
The chef told The Daily Telegraph in April that he was ready to make a comeback after regularly seeing a doctor and psychologist since leaving the show in 2020.
‘I’ve got some unfinished business here I’ve done all the hard work mentally,’ he said.
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He walks away with the title of MasterChef and $250,000 in prize money. The former tradie picked up scores and eight and nine out of 10 across the board from the judges for his final dish, beating out 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 understand now what I went through, I understand anxiety, and I’m a different person for that experience, that first season of MasterChef.’
The finale also marked the final episode recorded by chef Jock Zonfrillo before his death in April.
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 send off.
‘For the last time, go home, make yourselves a cup of tea, put your feet up, be kind 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 in his hotel room at Zagame’s House on Lygon Street in Carlton, Melbourne on April 30 and was found by police at about 2am on Monday, May 1.
The tragic loss came the same day Channel Ten was meant to premiere the fifteenth season of MasterChef Australia.
He is survived by his third wife Lauren, and his four children: grown-up daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages and Alfie and Isla with Lauren.
The media personality was scheduled for several publicity engagements for season 15 of MasterChef when he died suddenly.
The finale marked the final episode recorded by Jock before his death in April
