MasterChef contestants reveal judge Jock Zonfrillo will eat an entire meal before sampling dishes

He does plenty of eating on MasterChef, but it seems judge Jock Zonfrillo’s appetite is insatiable.

In an interview with News.com.au on Thursday, several of the show’s contestants revealed the 43-year-old chef will 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 MasterChef hopeful 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, contestant Brendan Pang said he was ‘shocked’ at the sheer volume of food Jock could consume. 

‘Jock is the biggest eater I have ever met, and I eat a lot! He’ll have three helpings at lunch and then taste our dishes all afternoon!’ added Callum Hann.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph in April, Jock admitted he felt anxious in the lead up to his role as a judge on this year’s MasterChef.

But he said he doesn’t shy away from showing the audience who he really is.

He claimed it was important for him to stay true to himself, and said he doesn’t hold anything back, describing himself as ‘an emotional guy’. 

‘At the end of the day, there was no other way to do this other than by being myself,’ he explained. 

‘I was not going to be watered down or muted or in the opposite way, amped up or exaggerated. You were going to get me, or nothing.’