Jock Zonfrillo, a Scottish TV presenter and former chef, identified for his latest function as a decide on “MasterChef Australia,” has died immediately. He was 46.
Zonfrillo died on April 30 in Melbourne, TV broadcaster Community Ten mentioned in an announcement on Monday. No reason behind dying was disclosed.
“With utterly shattered hearts and with out figuring out how we are able to probably transfer via life with out him, we’re devastated to share that Jock handed away yesterday,” mentioned Zonfrillo’s household carried as a part of the Community Ten new launch. “So many phrases can describe him, so many tales might be advised, however right now we’re too overwhelmed to place them into phrases. For individuals who crossed his path, grew to become his mate, or have been fortunate sufficient to be his household, hold this proud Scot in your hearts when you may have your subsequent whisky.”
Zonfrillo was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mom and obtained an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Lodge at 15 years of age. By 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Marco Pierre White.
After shifting to Australia, Zonfrillo opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide, with the latter successful important culinary awards. “In 2019, Jock was named as a decide on MasterChef Australia wherein he took nice pleasure in difficult and training the contestants and naturally inspiring a nation of residence cooks,” Community Ten mentioned.
He led a colourful and controversial life. In 2002, he set fireplace to an apprentice in his restaurant, apparently for working too slowly. Damages have been awarded by a courtroom, however he was declared bankrupt in 2007, after failing to pay. Different controversies surrounded his Orana Basis (supposed to protect historic cooking methods) and the chapter of the 2 Adelaide eating places.
Zonfrillo revealed a memoir in 2021, “Final Shot.” Shortly after, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper debunked a lot of its claims and descriptions, together with tales of drug use. It quoted White as saying: “Jock just isn’t a nasty man. He has a pure mind and may be very good. The one downside is that just about all the things he has written about me is unfaithful.”
Zonfrillo was married 3 times and reportedly met his third spouse, Lauren Fried, by way of Twitter.
On Twitter, Zonfrillo described himself as “@Masterchefau decide, dad crypto & NFT metavestor.”
“Jock was identified to Australians as a chef, best-selling creator, philanthropist and MasterChef decide however he will probably be finest remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son,” mentioned Community Ten. “Jock’s charisma, depraved humorousness, generosity, ardour and love for meals and his household can’t be measured. He will probably be drastically missed.”
“Jock was a rare man. He was an exquisite colleague and good friend, and we really feel very privileged to have had him play such an necessary and impactful function in MasterChef. Regardless of all his notable skilled milestones, nothing introduced him extra pleasure or happiness than his household. Our ideas are with them at this very tough time,” mentioned Beverley McGarvey, government VP, Paramount ANZ, the proprietor of Community Ten.
“We’re shocked and very saddened by the information of Jock’s passing. Jock was an unimaginable expertise, not simply as a famend chef, however as somebody who may convey pleasure into the properties of individuals in Australia and around the globe in his function as decide on MasterChef Australia,” mentioned Peter Newman, CEO of Endemol Shine Australia, the present’s producer. “On set he was beloved by the staff and his ardour for meals and the present was infectious. He was additionally an excellent champion for the contestants on MasterChef, at all times wanting the easiest for them.”
