★★★★★ 0/5

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."

39
Leave a comment

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

  2. I’m shocked with this News because I really like him on MC and gave inspiration to young cooks around Australia and the world. RIP.

    Also just a reminder if any of you having difficulties with this news, you can always call lifeline or beyond blue and they will be happy to help with any of your issues and concerns.

  3. I don’t watch Masterchef, but this is so tragic, terrible and shocking! May you rest in eternal peace Jock. My deepest condolences are sent to his family, friends, workmates and to all those who have been deeply affected by this tragedy.

  4. Absolutely devastating and so young. Jock was an absolutely gentleman and part of a refresh I didn’t even think MasterChef needed, but has benefitted so much from. My thoughts are with his family.

  5. Gut punching news… horrible.
    Channel 10 need to handle this so delicately.. I’d think this would almost be unprecedented here in Aus for a show such as MasterChef to have one it’s main people pass away this close to launch / during filming… How far in advance have they got MC in the can I wonder?

    I’m just so saddened by the news… its truly shocking.

  6. I just logged in to Twitter after work to see him trending. Didn’t think there was anything unusual “cos MasterChef starts tonight” …I feel sick. And not nauseous, just that stomach-shrinking immediately to the size of 4 marbles “cos he’s not that much older than me” kind of sick.

    I was genuinely looking forward to this season of MasterChef, but this news … has me thinking that it might be put on the shelf next to 8/10CDC — which I still cannot watch — for the foreseeable.

  9. I am really saddened by this. I had his book and it was so good.
    Loved him on MasterChef and his caring nature he had and his booming voice at the end when he’d announce the contestant leaving.
    Feel for his family and especially the 2 younger children.
    Watching MasterChef will be so strange & I hope Mel & Andy are getting support.
    RIP Jock.
    MasterChef just won’t be the same.

  11. My condolences to his family. 🥱 What a shock. I get inspiration from shows such as MasterChef for my cooking class. What will be airing in place?

  12. This is a complete shock, it’s going to be a very difficult and different season of MasterChef this year. I would expect and hope that a production break has been immediately put in place with support for the cast and crew. A lot of grieving for such an unexpected and young death.

  14. Wow, what a sad day. Watching the stream of Steven Tougher’s service from the University of Wollongong this morning and afternoon (the local Paramedic murdered last week), and now this shattering news about Jock. Life can be so unfair and beyond understanding sometimes.

  16. Seven have removed We Interrupt This Broadcast from 7Plus and any encores from Broadcast, as well as promotions. The show poked fun (in a crude and mean-spirited way although played for laughs) at Jock and MasterChef numerous times recently. Anyway, absolutely speechless, unbelievable. And on the day the new season was launching. The world this past couple of years, what’s going on.

  19. This is such sad news, he was one of my favourite MC judges.

    Thoughts and condolences to his immediate family and his extended family.

  20. Way too young….I sincerely hope people do respect his family’s wishes for privacy and let them grieve in peace so they can deal with such a devastating loss…..RIP Jock 🕊️

  21. Very sad. To me he was the best judge. Melissa might have got the attention but it was obvious that Jock loved the contestants as much as the food they produced. You could see in Masterclass how great and knowledgeable a chef he was. Very sad.

Leave a Reply