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‘Broken’: Colleagues come to terms with MasterChef tragedy

Network 10 colleagues, like many Australians, are trying to process the sudden death of TV host and chef Jock Zonfrillo.

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Jock Zonfrillo had returned home from an overseas holiday with family to promote the latest season of MasterChef Australia, scheduled to premiere last night.

Staff were advised of the shocking news in a network-wide email from management just minutes before the news was made public.

He was due to appear last night on The Project, amongst other media commitments.

Instead the show offered a sad tribute from his 10 colleagues.

“It’s so hard to even kind of process it just yet because the news came through so late this afternoon,” said Sarah Harris.

“And as you said, the promos for MasterChef have been on air for weeks and everyone’s looking forward to this wonderful new season, but it’s more than that, I mean, this is a bloke who had four kids, young children as well, the youngest was two.”

Waleed Aly said, “In this industry, it’s fair to say that not everyone is gentle, it’s not a personality that tends to be an advantage.

“The thing that really stood out to me was that there’s just something about his vulnerability, but it’s something a bit deeper than that, and he’s a guy who’s been through so much.”

Angela Bishop said of Zonfrillo’s MasterChef cast mates, “They would work, 14, 15, 16 hour days together for weeks on end to do each season of MasterChef. You couldn’t find closer workmates and confidants than Andy, Jock and Mel,” she said.

“They are devastated. ‘Broken’ is the word that was used to me. They’re simply like so many of us trying to process this news.”

Close friend, dessert king Darren Purchese said, “He was a sort of friend that I really valued, I could talk to him about anything. We met on the set of MasterChef a few years ago, we had the same friends back in London. We really clicked and he’s had some tough times in his life and I have.

“He was the friend I could call anytime and he would pick up and I know he’s done that to other people as well. My heart goes out to his family, he was a devoted family man. He was a great friend to me and someone I could call on anytime.”

Tributes came on social media from Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Colin Fassnidge, Jimmy Barnes and more.

Jock Zonfrillo, 46, was discovered by police at 2am on Monday at a hotel in Carlton.

“Police attended a Lygon Street address for a welfare check and located a man deceased about 2am on May 1,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

“The 46-year-old man’s death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Zonfrillo was always public about his addictions and anxieties, including carrying his worry beads on screen in MasterChef.

After he was gifted a set of worry beads from a close friend, Zonfrillo found it replaced his usual tapping and fidgeting whenever he got anxious. He would roll them rhythmically through his fingers and found it calmed his mind. He even designed bespoke beads and sold them online.

Many articles acknowledged his highs and lows in public and personal life.

In his memoir, Last Shot, he wrote about early substance abuse and periods of homelessness.

He opened fine-dining restaurant Orana in Adelaide in 2013, and founded the Orana Foundation to highlight the potential of Australian native ingredients.

But the foundation would prove controversial, with the database project resulting in legal disputes with the University of Adelaide and the Australian newspaper. As Zonfrillo’s star rose, his restaurant businesses were not faring so well. Bistro Blackwood closed in 2019, and Restaurant Orana permanently closed in 2020. Both businesses were placed into voluntary administration.

In 2019 he was cast on MasterChef Australia alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, premiering in 2020.

He credited his move to television for providing him a better work-life than balance.

“I’ve had nights off, and I’ve had weekends off. And so my mental health is greatly improved, and I’ve been able to enjoy being a father in a different way this time around,” he said in 2022.

Filming on MasterChef‘s new season was completed, but 10 is yet to confirm a new premiere date.

Yesterday Beverley McGarvey, Executive Vice President, Paramount ANZ, said “Jock was an extraordinary man. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and we feel very privileged to have had him play such an important and impactful role in MasterChef. Despite all his notable professional milestones, nothing brought him more joy or happiness than his family. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.”

Source: Guardian Australia

One Response

  1. This is so unbelievably sad. I was in disbelief when I saw the news on here. I think it proves however just how much more needs to be done around mental health and protecting vulnerable people. rest in peace Jock, you will be dearly and heavily missed.

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