On the day The Weekly met with Andy Allen and his wife, Alex, the world was a different place. The loved-up duo were excited about the future; which included the upcoming new season of MasterChef Australia. But, as we prepared to go to print in sync with the launch of the show, the unthinkable happened: Andy lost his best friend and co-star, Jock Zonfrillo. Passing away on April 30, 46-year-old Jock left behind four children, his grieving wife, Lauren Fried, and a devastated community of fellow chefs, friends and fans who struggled to come to grips with the news.
“This has hit me like a ton of bricks,” Andy would say as he paid tribute to Jock on The Project days later. Out of respect for Andy, and Jock’s family, we didn’t run the story last month. But today Andy has asked that we publish it unedited, prefaced only by the disclaimer that these photos were taken and words penned long before tragedy hit. We thank the couple for their generosity in sharing their story and send love to all who are grieving an extraordinary man.
Andy Allen had never followed a recipe, let alone opened a cookbook, when he took his first steps onto the set of MasterChef.
The Newcastle tradie, who was just weeks away from finishing his electrical apprenticeship, only applied to join the show after a mate dared him $500 bucks to fill out the application, and much to his mum Maree’s chagrin, he wagged his final exam to attend the audition.
She accompanied him to the final round, still a little surprised and somewhat bemused that her sparky son was trying out for television, and of all things, a cooking show.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BATTLE FOR THE THRONE
As word of a judgement leaks from the courtroom where the Murdochs have been tussling for power, those close to the throne suggest that the battle for the world’s most powerful media empire has only just begun.
AFTER THE WAVE
Twenty years ago, the Boxing Day tsunami tore across the Indian Ocean, shredding towns, villages and holiday resorts, and killing hundreds of thousands of people from Indonesia to Africa. Three survivors share their memories of shock, terror and loss with The Weekly.
Escape to the country
Raised in New Zealand, design icon Collette Dinnigan opens the doors to her family homestead, where treasures from her travels rest side by side with the sights, sounds and style of her Australian life.
Ripe for the picking
Apricots are at their peak sweetness now, take inspiration from our savoury and sweet ideas.
Grill-licious
The backyard barbecue has come a long way from the days of chargrilling some snags. Try our fresh batch of recipe inspiration for your next cook-up.
Reclaim your brain
Perimenopause made me realise that our brains need looking after.
Long and the short of it
If youre considering a chop and change, this is how to nail a hair transformation.
Have we lost the art of conversation?
In a world of thumbs-up emojis and one-way voice memos, are we forgetting how to converse? The Weekly engages in an experiment in listening and genuine two-way chatting.
Farewell, 1936-2024 Maggie T
At Lhe Weekly Maggie labberer was and remains our guiding light the epitome of elegance with a whip-smart intellect, naughty sense of fun and innate kindness. She was a one-off.
MEL SCHILLING Cancer made me look at myself differently
One year on from going public with her bowel cancer diagnosis, Mel Schilling reveals where she's at with her health journey and how it's changed her irrevocably.
