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Vale: Jock Zonfrillo

“Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son."

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Chef, author and TV presenter, Jock Zonfrillo, best known for MasterChef Australia, has died, aged 46.

He passed away yesterday in Melbourne but the cause of death has not been revealed.

“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.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

A Statement From The Zonfrillo Family

“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 yesterday.

“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.

“We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”

Scottish-born Zonfrillo joined MasterChef Australia alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen in the 2020 season, serving as the show’s new “father figure.” He previously featured in Restaurant Revolution, Chef’s Exchange, Four Hands Menu, Junior MasterChef, The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, Would I Lie to You? and Nomad Chef.

He was also the founder of The Orana Foundation, to preserve historical cooking techniques and ingredients of the Indigenous Australians.

A Statement From Network 10 And Endemol Shine Australia

“Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family. Jock passed away in Melbourne yesterday.

“Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son.

“Determined and talented and with plenty of grit, Jock was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother, which meant his formative years were heavily influenced by two strong cultures and it was his obsession with food and desire for a new pushbike that at just 12 years old fuelled Jock to knock on kitchen doors looking for a job.

“Jock’s love and passion for food saw him become one of the youngest culinary students to do an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at just 15 years of age. From that point onwards there was no holding him back and by 17 he was working alongside Marco Pierre White at his eponymous Restaurant Marco Pierre White.

“Throughout his career he worked with world famous chefs and in restaurants all over the world. His talent saw him shine in the world’s most formidable kitchens and he opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana in Adelaide after moving to Australia.

“Jock’s Restaurant Orana was recognised with the coveted distinction of three hats in both 2019 and 2020 and he also received global accolades, accepting the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize in 2018.

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

A Statement From Beverley McGarvey

Beverley McGarvey, Executive Vice President, Paramount ANZ, said: “This is a terribly sad day for Jock’s family and friends, his Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia colleagues and for MasterChef fans around Australia and the world.

“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.”

A Statement From Peter Newman

Peter Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine Australia, said: “We are shocked and extremely saddened by the news of Jock’s passing. Jock was an incredible talent, not just as a renowned chef, but as someone who could bring joy into the homes of people in Australia and around the world in his role as judge on MasterChef Australia.

“On set he was loved by the team and his passion for food and the show was infectious. He was also a brilliant champion for the contestants on MasterChef, always wanting the very best for them. He will be deeply missed by the entire MasterChef team. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

MasterChef Australia will not air this week.

The Bridge will air in its place this week from Sunday – Thursday.

This post updates.

39 Responses

  1. Really shocking, sad and tragic news, Jock was my favourite of the relatively new Masterchef judging panel, such a warm and intelligent man who obviously mentored all those contestants really well. My heart goes out to his family, friends and his Masterchef colleagues.

  4. My goodness. I think being a chef or a cook is an important and respectful job and career. It’s not easy to prepare food, but the passion and love for food, and to cater is admirable.

    We’ve seen celebrity chefs, like Anthony Bourdain and Keith Floyd, for example, that haved passed over as well, seemingly too early. I hope all of the food preparation, catering and hospitality workers know that their work is very much appreciated.

  5. Very shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Jock Zonfrillo. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. RIP Jock.

  8. I am in shock. He will be missed by so many. Such a tragic loss for his family and the MCA community. He was such a joy to watch on MCA. RIP Jock.

  9. Just devastating. What a great talent he was. I feel so sorry for his family, friends, Network 10 and Shine staff, it’s just such a shock and so sad.

  10. This is such sad news. I didn’t watch MC regularly, but when I did, I watched for him. He’s irreplaceable.

    My thoughts are with his family, friends and MC colleagues.

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