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Interview: MasterChef Australia’s Declan Cleary on his “cheeky” bond with Jock Zonfrillo

"They definitely left their mark on me"

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WRITTEN BY CHATTR Team / Edited BY Anita Anabel
14 July 2023 , 3 minutes to read

Fan favourite MasterChef Australia 2023 contestant, Declan Cleary, has reflected on the close bond he shared with late judge Jock Zonfrillo.

During an interview with Chattr after his elimination, Declan said that he forged a strong relationship with all the judges, but felt that he and Jock’s friendship was built on their similarities.

“They [the judges] definitely left their mark on me, especially Jock,” he said. “I think we both kicked it off [got along] because we’re just both a little bit cheeky and we both just had fun with it.”

Jock and Declan. MasterChef.

Declan explained that the further he went in the competition, the more he got to know Jock, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.

“The support throughout the whole series was awesome. I think when you’ve got 18 contestants, it’s a bit hard to stand out,” he said.

“It was so lovely. Getting down to the top three, you did build a bit more of a personable relationship with the judges so you could just talk to them in ways you probably wouldn’t have that opportunity when there were 18 of you.”

Declan and Robbie Cooper’s “special” bond

It’s no secret that Declan and Robbie Cooper formed a close bond early on in the competition.

In fact, during Declan’s elimination, Robbie shed some tears when the judges asked him about their friendship.

“As we saw Robbie was lost for words last night and I was pretty lost for words myself so the emotions continued throughout the night,” Declan reflected.

“Robbie’s just a bloody legend and I feel like it was so nice to have someone like him. It was too short, his time on the show. We really made the most of our friendship,” he said.

Robbie and Declan. MasterChef.

Declan also revealed that he and Robbie had actually met at the MasterChef auditions, and asked to be roomed together during the competition.

“We roomed up in the interconnecting rooms from that first day,” he said. “We’d have a massive day and, and just want to have a cup of tea or beer and hang out and then I’d go hit the hay and Robbie would help himself into my room.

“He walked in one time when I was getting out of the shower, and I’m like ‘Mate leave me alone’,” he laughed.

The MasterChef Australia Grand Finale airs Sunday, July 16 at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.

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