Australian MasterChef Host Jock Zonfrillo Dies Suddenly At The Age Of 46
Award-winning chef and Australian MasterChef host Jock Zonfrillo died suddenly at the age of 46.The Scottish worked in famous restaurants around the world before opening his own restaurant in Australia.His death was confirmed by broadcaster Network 10 on MasterChef's inaugural day of the 2023 season. Zonfrillo left his wife Lauren Fried and four children."For those who cross the road, become their partners, or are lucky enough to be their families, keep this arrogant Scottish in your heart when you have the next whiskey," the family said.Zonfrillo was found dead in a house in Melbourne when police conducted a welfare check in the early hours of Monday. Victorian police said the death was not considered suspicious.His death has sparked grief from culinary and entertainment figures. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Gordonchedia, as well as a number of former Masterchef contestants led the honor.Oliver, who is scheduled to appear at the season opener, posted a photo of himself with Zonflillo and two other judges, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, on Instagram."I was very surprised when I learned of the sudden death [Jock.. we had the best time to work together for MasterChef this year," he wrote.TY wrote on Twitter, "Sad with the devastating news... I really enjoyed the time we spent together at MasterChef in Australia".Network 10 also pays tribute to the star, saying Zonflillo's charisma, passion, and humoral tastes have inspired home cook countries. MasterChef - pre-recorded - won't air this week as planned, he said.Born in Glasgow in 1976, Zonflo started working in the kitchen at the age of 12. At the age of 15, he became one of the youngest interns to ever work at the Scottish luxury resort, Turnberry Hotel. Two years later he started working for Michelin-star England chef Marco Pierre White at his famous Hotel at Hyde Park.But despite his growing career, Zonfrillo said he went bankrupt, homeless, and was addicted to heroin as a teenager. He wrote at length about his fight against drug addiction in his 2021 memoir, Last Shot.He said he opened a new sheet by moving to Australia in 2000, and then opening several restaurants. The most successful was Adelaide award-winning restaurant, Orana, which opened in 2013.In 2019, presenters were announced as part of a new array of hosts for the Australian MasterChef.
But Zonfrillo's career is not without controversy. Orana closed in 2020 in debt for millions of dollars, and Last Shot was criticized for being inaccurate by his former colleagues, including Marco Pierre White.