Jock Zonfrillo, a renowned chef, author, and judge on MasterChef Australia, has died at the age of 46. May his soul rest in peace.
On Monday, a statement was released by his family confirming his passing. They referred to him as “our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son, and friend” and stated that he passed away on Sunday in Melbourne.
His death was confirmed on the day that MasterChef’s 2023 season premiere was set to air.
According to a statement made by his wife Lauren Freed and four children, they are heartbroken over the passing of Zonfrillo, who is survived by them.
According to a statement released by the family, they ask that those who have met him, befriended him, or are related to him, remember this proud Scotsman as they enjoy their next glass of whisky.
According to reports, Zonfrillo was discovered deceased during a welfare check carried out by the police in a Melbourne residence on Monday morning. According to Victoria Police, the death is not considered suspicious.
The culinary and entertainment worlds were filled with grief following his passing.
The awards ceremony was hosted by celebrity chefs Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, alongside several former Masterchef contestants.
Oliver posted a photo on Instagram with Zonfrillo, Leong, and Allen, who are all judges, while on set. He was originally scheduled to appear at the opening of the season.
The individual expressed being in a state of complete shock upon waking up to the sudden death of Jock. He wrote that they had a great time working together on MasterChef this year.
Ramsay expressed his sadness on Twitter, stating “Saddened by the devastating news…” The user expressed that they enjoyed the time spent at MasterChef in Australia.
Zonfrillo’s charm, enthusiasm, and clever wit served as a source of inspiration for countless home cooks, and the network paid homage to the star. According to the report, “MasterChef,” which was pre-recorded, will not be aired this week as originally scheduled.
Zonfrillo was born in Glasgow in 1976 and began working in the kitchen at the age of 12. At the age of 15, he was hired as an apprentice at The Turnberry Hotel, making him one of the youngest apprentices to work at the luxury Scottish resort.
After a couple of years, the individual started collaborating with Marco Pierre White, a well-known British chef with Michelin stars, at his prestigious Hyde Park Hotel.
According to Zonfrillo, despite his tumultuous career, he experienced bankruptcy, homelessness, and heroin addiction as a teenager. In his 2021 memoir titled The Last Shot, he extensively documented his battle with drug addiction.
According to him, he began a new chapter in his life when he relocated to Australia in 2000 and established multiple restaurants. The award-winning Orana restaurant in Adelaide, which opened in 2013, was its most successful.
As reported in 2019, the host was announced as part of MasterChef Australia’s new line-up of hosts.
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