MasterChef’s Melissa Leong reveals fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo’s bizarre on-set habit

MasterChef’s Melissa Leong has revealed fellow judge Jock Zonfrillo’s most annoying on-set habit.

In an interview with news.com.au on Wednesday, the 39-year-old food critic revealed her co-star has a ‘freakish’ metabolism.

Melissa said it’s not unusual for Jock, 44, to order an enormous serving of takeaway food after tasting all of the contestants’ dishes on the show. 

She confessed his ability to consume so much food has become a source of ‘frustration’ for her.  

‘His ability to consume food on a constant rapid pace, it just frustrates the hell out of everybody… If he doesn’t eat he loses weight rapidly. He’s a freak,’ she said.

‘He’s a freak in the best possible way. His metabolism should be studied, because he can do a full tasting of 18 different courses throughout the day but still eat an entire bucket of fried chicken and a box or two of chips or several containers worth of dumplings on a lunch break. It’s quite a thing to behold.’ 

It’s not the first time Jock’s seemingly tireless metabolism has been a topic of conversation, with last year’s contestants also marvelling at how much he’d eat.  

In an interview with News.com.au in June last year, several of the show’s former contestants revealed Jock would eat an entire meal before sampling the dishes.

Many of the contestants admitted they were in awe of Jock’s ability to finish off a meal and then still be hungry enough to sample another sometimes-20 plates.

‘Jock could eat a whole house and still be hungry,’ revealed Laura Sharrad, while Reece Hignell confessed he ‘never stops eating’.

‘Jock sometimes eats a full lunch before a challenge and tastings… Even with 24 people in the competition. How can someone fit that much food in their stomach?’ mused Tessa Boersma. 

Meanwhile, former contestant Brendan Pang said he was ‘shocked’ at the sheer volume of food Jock could consume.