Fans were in tears watching the ‘beautiful’ moment.

MasterChef’s Andy Allen and Laura Sharrad.

MasterChef’s Andy Allen and Laura Sharrad shared a sweet moment remembering their late friend, Jock Zonfrillo. Photos: Channel 10

It’s been just over two years since Jock Zonfrillo passed away, and not a day goes by that the MasterChef community doesn’t remember him. His spirit was especially celebrated in Wednesday night’s episode when Andy Allen and Laura Sharrad shared a sweet moment acknowledging their late friend.

Laura, who worked alongside Jock Zonfrillo at his restaurant for two years, served the judges hand-cut pasta with anchovies, yuzu koshō, and green ants. After tasting the dish, Poh Ling Yeow acknowledged that she could feel a special connection between Laura and Andy, who declared that the “unbelievable” meal was her best pasta he’s ever eaten.

“I can feel this little electric current running from you, to the dish, to Andy. It’s Jock,” she said. “I can really feel it.”

Laura and Andy both became emotional as they looked at one another and quietly acknowledged their special connection through Jock.

“I’m completely right, aren’t I?” Poh continued. “I can actually feel it.”

MasterChef’s Andy Allen, Sofia Levin, Poh Ling Yeow and Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Viewers admitted they were tearing up watching the tribute. Photo: Channel 10
Jean-Christophe Novelli then tossed a napkin to Laura so she could wipe her tears, while Poh herself choked back tears.

“Are you alright?” Sofia Levin asked Andy following the judging, to which he replied, “Yeah, I was buckled there for a bit”.

Watch the moment here:

Many viewers took to social media following the episode to admit they had also become emotional watching the exchange, with one person writing, “That scene made my husband and I sob. Miss you, Jock!”

“I said Jock when I heard the ingredients. Teared up too,” another added, while a third shared, “Awwww I still missed Jock. What a loving memory”.

“I felt this for all of you. So nice to remember and honour Jock,” a different user replied. “And I love @pohlingyeow’s beautiful intuition.”

“I just love this show wholeheartedly. There is just not a single hard feeling around. This is just so lovely,” someone else said.

MasterChef's Jock Zonfrillo.

Viewers admitted they were tearing up while watching the tribute. Photo: Channel 10

Despite the heartwarming moment, a handful of viewers admitted they were annoyed to see Laura once again making pasta, as they believe that’s what she cooks most often in the MasterChef kitchen.

The three-time contestant, who is playfully known as the ‘Pasta Queen’ on the show, shared an Instagram Story during the episode, hitting back at the criticism.

“Pasta #6 for the season… wow, only 6 pasta dishes,” she sarcastically wrote. “Better cook some more for the people who think I only cook pasta.”

She also shared a gallery of photos showcasing her pasta dish alongside a rather sassy caption, which both clapped back at the “trolls” and acknowledged her tribute to Jock.

“Every angle of the pasta I cooked tonight, just incase you pasta hating fools missed it… jokes aside because trolls suck!” she remarked. “THIS was my favourite dish to date. Why. It’s everything I love in one; 1. Pasta. 2. Japanese flavours. 3. Native Australian ingredients. All being huge parts of my cooking journey to date. An electric dish, with lots of feeling.”