Julie Goodwin has shared how Jock Zonfrillo supported her as she struggled with her mental health.
Appearing on The Sunday Project this weekend, the MasterChef winner – who starred alongside Jock on MasterChef: Fans V Faves in 2022 – says the late chef was always there for her.
“It was Jock with his openness to his own issues that really became a huge part of my healing journey,” said the 52-year-old, breaking down in tears.
“He could see the fight I was having. He met me there and made sure I could be here. He was just being generous.
Julie went on to explain the Scottish chef’s powerful influence on the people in his life.
Julie Goodwin has shared how Jock Zonfrillo (pictured) stood by her as she struggled with her mental health
“When you cook for people, you can have an impact on the people who eat your food, but when you teach people, when you mentor people and when you lift people up and send them out into the world, you have an impact on everyone,” she said .
The chef went on to explain that she will be watching the new season of MasterChef in honor of Jock.
“It is with sadness in my heart but with great respect and love that I will watch and am not sure how I will pull this off,” she said.
“I’m not sure how either of us is going to pull this off, but I think having him tutoring and nurturing people for this final season is the right thing to do.”
Julie has been open about her battle with anxiety and depression after being arrested for drunk driving five years ago.
Appearing on The Sunday Project, the MasterChef winner, who starred alongside Jock on MasterChef: Fans V Faves in 2022, says the late chef was always there for her
“It was Jock with his openness to his own issues that really became a huge part of my healing journey,” said the 52-year-old, breaking down in tears. “He could see the fight I was having. He met me there and made sure I could be here. He was just generous’
‘[My mental health] There was a heated argument when I was asked to do this [MasterChef]’ the cookbook author explained.
“I didn’t just say yes. “I spoke to my family, I spoke to my psychologist, and it was a decision that was very considered because at the end of the day I didn’t want to end up in the dark again,” she continued.
The mother-of-three, who spent five weeks in a psychiatric facility in 2020, devised a coping strategy for when things got too mentally taxing.
“They kept the shooting schedule in such a way that I can still go to my psych appointments and go out early in the morning to do my exercises.” “They talk to me constantly to make sure I’m okay,” she said.
“When you cook for people you can impact the people who eat your food, but when you teach people, when you mentor people and when you lift people up and send them out into the world, you impact everyone,” she added added
Julie has been dubbed a “national treasure” by fans after first winning the show in 2009.
Jock Zonfrillo was given his farewell on Saturday in an emotional service where high-profile celebrities and chefs gathered around his heartbroken family to pay tribute to him.
The MasterChef judge, who died on April 30 at the age of 46, was buried at a private funeral in Sydney attended by 200 family and friends on Saturday.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue.
Jock Zonfrillo was given his farewell on Saturday in an emotional service where high-profile celebrities and chefs gathered around his heartbroken family to pay tribute to him. Pictured with wife Laurem Fried and children Alfie (six) and Isla (two).