A heartbreaking loss. MasterChef Australia decide Jock Zonfrillo has died at age 46.
“With utterly shattered hearts and with out realizing how we will probably transfer by life with out him, we’re devastated to share that Jock handed away yesterday,” learn a press release from his household on Sunday, April 30, through The Hollywood Reporter. “So many phrases can describe him, so many tales could be instructed, however right now we’re too overwhelmed to place them into phrases. For many who crossed his path, turned his mate, or had been fortunate sufficient to be his household, preserve this proud Scot in your hearts when you’ve your subsequent whisky.”
The Scottish chef’s reason behind dying was not instantly given.
Season 15 of the cooking competitors present was set to premiere this week, however producers instructed the outlet that the air date could be postponed. “Community 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened on the sudden lack of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia household. Jock handed away in Melbourne yesterday,” a press release famous.
Fellow skilled cooks took to social media to mourn the business’s loss, together with Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. “Saddened by the devastating information of Jock Zonfrillo’s passing. I really loved the time we spent collectively on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my like to Lauren and the household on this troublesome time,” Ramsay, 56, tweeted on Monday, Might 1.
Oliver, 47, shared a photograph of himself with the MasterChef Australia workforce together with a heartfelt tribute. “In whole shock to listen to of the sudden dying of chef Jock Zonfrillo. Had one of the best time working with him for this 12 months’s @MasterChefau,” he tweeted. “Jock was very beneficiant together with his time and spirit within the present and can be so very missed. Sending coronary heart felt love and condolences to all of his household, pals and the MasterChef workforce and contestants.”
Zonfrillo started working within the kitchen at age 13 as a dishwasher. He left faculty two years later and started an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Lodge in Scotland. His love for meals later took him to Australia, the place he spent a 12 months working at Sydney’s Restaurant 41. The TV character was simply 22 years outdated when he earned his first head chef place, returning to the U.Ok. to guide at The Tresanton Lodge.
The culinary skilled later went again to Restaurant 41 as the pinnacle chef, beginning the position in 2000. He opened a number of of his personal eateries, together with the acclaimed Restaurant Orana, which finally closed in 2020.
Zonfrillo joined meals critic Melissa Leong and Australian prepare dinner Andy Allen on MasterChef Australia in 2019, turning into a everlasting decide on season 12. He beforehand served as a visitor decide on seasons 10 and 11 and in addition made appearances on spinoffs Superstar MasterChef Australia and Junior MasterChef Australia.
The Restaurant Revolution alum launched his controversial memoir, Final Shot, in 2021, detailing the ups and downs of his journey to turning into a famend chef. Whereas his former mentor Marco Pierre White questioned the reality of some tales included within the chapters, Zonfrillo stood by his writing, asserting on the time, “That is the story of my life.”
Join Us Weekly’s free, every day e-newsletter and by no means miss breaking information or unique tales about your favourite celebrities, TV reveals and extra!
Zonfrillo is survived by spouse Lauren Fried and his 4 kids.
