"Shattered hearts": Culinary world mourns tragic death of Jock Zonfrillo
<p>Jock Zonfrillo, celebrity chef and host of <em>Masterchef Australia</em>, has passed away at 46. </p>
<p>The entertainment and culinary industries are in mourning - and the fate of the hit cooking competition in question - as friends, family, and fans try to come to terms with their tragic loss. </p>
<p>The news was broken - and confirmed - with a statement from Zonfrillo’s family, who wrote of their devastation and “shattered hearts” as they faced life without him. </p>
<p>"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," they wrote.</p>
<p>"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.</p>
<p>"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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>Zonfrillo’s body was reportedly discovered by police after they were called to a Carlton address at around 2am for a welfare check.</p>
<p>It has been said that Zonfrillo had flown home early from a trip to Europe with his wife, Lauren, and their two young children - two-year-old Isla and five-year-old Alfie - ahead of the season 15<em> Masterchef Australia </em>launch. </p>
<p>Production on the series had wrapped a month prior, and while it was set to premiere on May 1, it was delayed out of respect for their late host. </p>
<p>Zonfrillo’s co-star and fellow celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was one of the first to take to social media to share his grief with supporters, posting a picture of the smiling <em>Masterchef</em> judging panel alongside the caption, “I’m in total shock to wake up to the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo. </p>
<p>“We had the best time working together for this year’s master chef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him! Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful … Jock will be so very missed”.</p>
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<p>Gordon Ramsay also turned to social media to pay tribute to his friend, writing of how he was “saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing … sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time”.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time Gx</p>
<p>— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) <a href="https://twitter.com/GordonRamsay/status/1652913279684190208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia also posted a heartfelt tribute on<em> Masterchef Australia</em>’s social media, writing that they were “deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the <em>MasterChef </em>family.</p>
<p>"Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and <em>MasterChef</em> judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“Throughout his career he worked with world famous chefs and in restaurants all over the world.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>“Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed.”</p>
<p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>
