Masterchef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo passes away at 46
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Melbourne: Celebrity chef and Masterchef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo passed away at the age of 46. No cause of death has been revealed yet and a Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that it is not being treated as "suspicious".
His family shared the sad news on his Instagram account. The official statement read: "With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday. So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky."
The official Instagram page of Masterchef Australia also shared a note mourning his sudden death. The network has postponed the premiere of the new season by a week as it was supposed to air today.
The show's page wrote: "Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family. Jock passed away in Melbourne yesterday. Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion, and love for food and his family cannot be measured. In 2019, Jock was named as a judge on MasterChef Australia in which he took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks. He will be greatly missed. MasterChef Australia will not air this week."
"Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist, and MasterChef judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother, and son. Determined and talented and with plenty of grit, Jock was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother, which meant his formative years were heavily influenced by two strong cultures and it was his obsession with food and desire for a new pushbike that at just 12 years old fuelled Jock to knock on kitchen doors looking for a job," said the note.
Recalling his career, the network further wrote: "Jock’s love and passion for food saw him become one of the youngest culinary students to do an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at just 15 years of age. From that point onwards there was no holding him back and by 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Macro Pierre White. Throughout his career, he worked with world-famous chefs and in restaurants all over the world. His talent saw him shine in the world’s most formidable kitchens and he opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide after moving to Australia."
About his own restaurant, the note said: "Jock’s Restaurant Orana was recognised with the coveted distinction of three hats in both 2019 and 2020 and he also received global accolades, accepting the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize in 2018."
Indian actress Jennifer Winget also shared a note on his death. The two had participated in a few virtual live cook-along sessions in 2021. She wrote: "First, simply a fan from afar, then how blessed to have our paths cross - To have known you, learned from and shared in your craft, culture, and cuisine, from slightly closer quarters, will forever be life's cherished memory. Shocked and saddened with the rest of the world. Still coming to terms with it all. My heart is with your beautiful family during this difficult time. You lived large. Your life, like your recipes, all from the heart. Now rest in love dearest Jock as we make a meal of all the memories you leave us with."
Jock Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife Lauren Fried and four children. He had two children - Ava and Sophia - from his first two marriages and two children - Alfie and Isla - with Fried.