EXCLUSIVE: How Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo rose to the top after Masterchef

Like the secret ingredient in a family recipe, success often lies in the unknown. In the case of MasterChef Australia, now in its 15th season, the culmination of bringing together total strangers in a kitchen and watching what unfolds could be the key to their longevity.

This doesn’t apply just to the contestants, but to the three judges, Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo, too. The trio had never worked together and were relatively unknown when they signed on – “We didn’t know what to expect,” Jock says – but are now synonymous with the career-launching show.

Andy, 34, who was a contestant on the show himself in 2012, says he’s forever indebted to MasterChef for launching his cooking career. However, he admits he “probably shouldn’t have applied” for the show because of his lack of experience.

“I underestimated what it was going to be and hard it would be,” the season four winner tells TV WEEK. “I cooked for my family and friends, but food wasn’t my one and only passion.

“As soon as I got there, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh – you really need to learn how to cook now, because you’re going to make a fool of yourself.’ For two-thirds of the competition, it was just trying to keep your head above water, but it turned out alright.”

In fact, it’s better – Andy is now a TV presenter, author and chef. He also has a special connection with the contestants.

“I think it was really beneficial to get a former contestant back, because you know what they’re going through; you’ve been there, done that,” he says.

As with the new season, themed “Secrets & Surprises”, Jock can relate to not knowing what’s ahead. Despite his success as a chef and restaurateur, Scottish-born Jock says joining MasterChef became an unexpected highlight of his career.

“I never saw this coming,” the 46-year-old says. “George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston [MasterChef’s original three judges] were an institution and I thought they’d always be there. When I got asked to do it, I was surprised and I’m so grateful.”

Andy, Melissa and Jock are now in their fourth season together (in addition to the MasterChef celebrity and junior spin-offs) and are still loving every minute. And while their days are spent critiquing others in the kitchen, they’ve experienced their share on social media too. They admit being in the spotlight can take a toll.

“Everyone has an opinion,” Jock says. “When I first started out, you didn’t know everyone’s opinion, but because of social media, you can see everything. If you read every comment, you’d be depressed.”

In 2021, he published his memoir Last Shot, which focused on his rise in the fast-paced hospitality industry and his battle with addiction. Rather than the process being cathartic, he calls it a painful reminder of his past.

“Everyone said it was going to be therapeutic, but I don’t think it was – it was fairly traumatic,” he says. “It’s difficult, because you drag up a lot of stuff you’re still ashamed of, and you’re vulnerable. It was an emotionally difficult time; a lot of stuff got taken out [of the book] because it was too dark.”

Jock insists he wanted to share a real account of his life.

“The media love to glamorise things with headlines, but at the end of the day, it’s my truth,” he says.

“I’m one in a million when it comes to coming out the other side of that [addiction] and having some semblance of a life, let alone a successful one. It’s not normal and that’s the point. But the impact it’s had on people struggling with addiction has been incredible.”

Melissa has also had to deal with her share of criticism, a part of being in the public eye she’ll never quite get used to. Reflecting on the turbulent moments in her career, she says finding balance and contentment within herself has been significant.

“I made a decision that effectively changed my life,” Melissa, 41, says of signing up to MasterChef in 2019. “Being a journalist, it’s my job to be sceptical and question things, so when this invitation is dropped into my lap, I had to ask what else comes with it. Everything has a price and was I willing to pay it?

“The price was that you lose elements of your privacy and anonymity. But then it opens the door to tremendous possibilities. My life is very different now – there are better days than others, but on balance, I’m not sorry I said yes.”

Having experienced “a lot of really sh–y behaviour” over recent years, the food journalist came to realise she can’t control everything – and what she can, she protects fiercely.

“With this wonderful job comes bizarre behaviour you couldn’t imagine,” she says. “It hurts at the beginning, but you can’t control what people think of you. It would be completely naïve to think I’d be the golden girl of TV in Australia forever – that just doesn’t happen unless you’re Lisa McCune.”

She also adds that assessing her relationships and happiness “takes time”.

“I’m 41 years old and open about working on my emotional and mental state on a minute-by-minute basis,” she says. “I have a therapist and smart people around me, so I’ll always seek help where its offered. But I’ve had some of the greatest professional experiences in that kitchen. I love it.”

Help often comes where you least expect it. In the new season, iconic British chef Jamie Oliver joins as a special guest judge and quickly built a kinship with the three judges.

“Hand on heart, Jamie Oliver is a delightful human being,” Melissa says. “He has so much advice and wisdom. I was lucky enough to reach out to him and talk to him about various things.”

Jamie told TV WEEK that his experience on MasterChef Australia was one to remember.

“MasterChef Australia is the biggest, best, most extraordinary cooking course on the planet,” Jamie, 47, says. “It transforms home cooks in an incredible way, anything is possible. I’m thrilled to play a role on that journey for the season to come.”

Jock reveals emotions ran high this season.

“There are a lot of visible tears from me,” he says. I grew quite close to the contestants.”

At the end of the day, however, the trio know they can always rely on each other for heart and humour — a special ingredient of their own.

“I don’t think you could do this if we weren’t friends,” Andy says. “It’s an amazing relationship to have.”