‘MasterChef Australia’ judge Jock Zonfrillo dies a day ahead of the new season premiere

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: Gracie Hale | In Death

Source: The Guardian

Jock Zonfrillo passed away on Saturday, April, 30, at the age of 46
Chef Jock was expected to join the panel of judges for the Australian cooking game show MasterChef Australia Season 15
The show is scheduled to premiere this week but has been postponed due to the unfortunate death of Jock Zonfrillo

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Jock Zonfrillo has passed away at the age of 46

Jock Zonfrillo is no longer alive among us! The chef and author took his last breath in Melbourn on Saturday, April 30. He was just 46.

His sudden death was confirmed by his family members with a heartbreaking statement on Sunday, May 1, that reads,

“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,”

Jock Zonfrillo passed away at the age of 46 (Source: The Guardian)

“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.”

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However, the cause of his death has yet to be revealed.

Jock is survived by his third wife Laren Fried and four children Ava, Sophia, Alfie, and Isla.

MasterChef Australia’s new season has been push back from its air date following the death of Jock Zonfrillo

The fifteenth series of the Australian cooking game show MasterChef Australia is scheduled to premiere this week. The show has been postponed due to the unfortunate death of Jock Zonfrillo.

Chef Jock was expected to join the panel of judges, along with Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. However, the star sadly passed away.

On Instagram, MasterChef Australia shared their sorrow over the demise of renowned chef Jock Zonfrillo.

“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,”

Jock Zonfrilloa served as judge on MasterChef Australia — Jock Zonfrilloa served as a judge on MasterChef Australia (Source: The Guardian)

“Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed.”

Similarly, they conclude the statement while noting the show will not air this week.

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Besides, fellow British celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, and Jamie Oliver, rock star Jimmy Barnes, and others paid tribute and condolences to Jock Zonfrillo and his family.

What was Jock Zonfrillo best known for?

Jock Zonfrillo, whose real name was Barry Zonfrillo, was a Scottish chef, television presenter, and restaurateur. He rose to prominence after starring as a judge on MasterChef Australia.

Jock Zonfrilloand his wife Laren Fried (Source: The Guardian)

He began a part-time job as a dishwasher in kitchens at the age of 13 while still attending school. However, Zonfrillo dropped out of school at the age of 15 and began working in the kitchens of The Turnberry Hotel.

He then worked in various hotels and restaurants including for Marco Pierre White. At the age of 22, he was appointed to his first head chef position at The Tresanton Hotel in Cornwall.

He also worked as head chef for Restaurant 41 and Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant. Further, he had his own restaurants including Orana, Bistro Blackwood (Street ADL), and Nonna Mallozzi, but he had to close them all because of his financial problems.

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