Jimmy Barnes Performs To Honour Jock Zonfrillo

In an emotional episode of The Project, friends, colleagues and food industry luminaries lined up to pay tribute to Masterchef judge Jock Zonfrillo who tragically passed away last weekend ahead of the planned launch of the 2023 season. 

The program went to air tonight, a week after its scheduled start, with an hour-long tribute episode of The Project leading up to the screening. 

Jimmy Barnes, a good friend of the Scottish chef, closed the tribute show with an emotional rendition of The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lamond. The traditional song was accompanied by family including wife Jane and daughter Mahalia as well as a Scottish piper who played as photos of the chef and his family were displayed. 

There would not have been a dry eye in households across Australia. The song was a poignant moment as the country grieves with Jock's wife and children left behind and contemplates a life ended far too soon. 

On social media earlier this week, Barnes paid tribute to Jock:

"It’s a very sad day. We’ve lost another dear friend. Jock was like a brother to me and we made each other laugh and cry. My heart goes out to his family. I am speechless. Rest my friend."

Watch Jimmy Barnes' powerful performance below.