‘Champion of fine dining’: SA food icons on Jock Zonfrillo’s legacy after shock death

SA’s top food names are stunned by the death of MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo, remembering him as a titan of the restaurant scene, a dear friend and generous mentor.

Adelaide’s food scene has been rocked by the death of celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo, whose groundbreaking Restaurant Orana changed the face of SA’s culinary experience.

On Monday, Zonfrillo’s family announced the Glasgow-born chef had died in the early hours of Sunday morning, aged 46.

Zonfrillo became a household name in Adelaide’s dining in the 2010s, heading Penfold’s Magill Estate restaurant as executive chef before launching his own fine-dining offering, Restaurant Orana, on Rundle St in 2013.

Orana attracted a national and international reputation – including being named the 2019 Australian restaurant of the year – for its innovative menu featuring native Australian ingredients.

In 2015, Zonfrillo’s Orana was the first restaurant to be named the Vittoria Restaurant of the Year in The Advertiser Food Awards, also winning the title the following year.

The award-winning chef took up a role as programming director of Tasting Australia in 2017, playing a pivotal part in securing big names to headline the festival – including Marco Pierre White in 2017 and chefs from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

A number of Zonfrillo‘s Adelaide friends told The Advertiser they were in shock and too upset to put how they were feeling – and what he meant to them – into words.

In a statement posted to social media, MasterChef winner Laura Sharrad sent her condolences to Zonfrillo’s family, sharing an image alongside the MasterChef judge.

“This is heartbreaking news, sending love to you all,” Sharrad wrote. “Today is a really sad day.”

d’Arenberg chief winemaker and viticulturist Chester Osborn said he was shocked by Zonfrillo’s death.

“He was 46 years old – that’s way too young. I feel for his four children and wife Lauren,” he said.

Mr Osborn said Zonfrillo was at the forefront of Adelaide’s contemporary food scene and made a huge impact at Tasting Australia events.

“It’s hard to find others that have done such intricate and amazing food … his crazy fermentations and foraging were fantastic, as was his perfection in getting the balance of flavours and offering an extraordinary (dining) experience,” Mr Osborn said.

“He was very important in the food scene … a champion of fine dining and casual. It’s a big loss … very sad.”

MasterChef aumni Poh Ling Yeow also paid tribute responding to Zonfrillo‘s family statement on Instagram: “Sending the biggest hugs to all of you. Speechless …”.

d’Arenberg chief winemaker Chester Osborn remembered Zonfrillo as a titan of Adelaide’s food scene. Picture: Matt Turner

Lot 100 head chef Shannon Fleming at the cabbage patch at Mount Baker Summit. Picture: Tom Huntley

Shannon Fleming was one of five key staff who departed Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant in 2013 to start Jock Zonfrillo‘s Orana, in Rundle St.

He was Zonfrillo’s head chef at Orana, which would go on to win numerous awards, before taking on the downstairs Blackwood Bistro (formerly StreetADL).

Having worked with Zonfrillo from around 2011 to 2017, Fleming said Zonfrillo had the largest influence on his career.

“He was a f*****g pain in the arse!” Fleming joked when talking about working with the strong-willed chef.

“I’ve always maintained that he’s had the most influential stretch in my career, and he’s really shaped what I’ve done. He introduced me to the world of native Australian ingredients, and it’s my biggest passion still. He really drove that and I will always give him credit for that.

“I‘ve always said he’s definitely the most naturally talented chef I’ve ever worked with or for.

“The guy certainly lived – I‘ve always said he had nine lives, even while I was with him. Just in his travels I reckon he had a couple of motorcycle accidents while I knew him, he had a stroke at one point, he loved a skydive – the guy did everything. He did everything.

“He was bigger than life, Jock always was. I’m almost shocked he got this far in some respect.

“I really feel for the kids and Lauren, and (daughters) Ava and Sofia, it‘s just a massive shock.”

Darren Robertson, Tasting Australia co-festival director said Zonfrillo was an integral part of Tasting Australia for many years.

“He helped put South Australia on the map in the culinary world for what he was doing, through his fine dining work at Orana and as the festival food curator,” he said.

“He was greatly loved. He was a guy who was incredibly well respected and an incredible chef, and an incredible friend. We’re in absolute disbelief that we have lost our mate.”

Heavyweights of Adelaide’s dining scene have paid tribute to Zonfrillo. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Kane Pollard, who owns Tea Tree Gully restaurant Topiary, said Zonfrillo’s death was “a shock to the system”.

The two met five years ago when Zonfrillo stopped by Topiary on his way back from the Barossa.

“We had an amazing chat and he saw something in me that he doesn’t see in many (young chefs),” Mr Pollard said of Zonfrillo who was to become both a friend and a mentor.

That meeting led to Zonfrillo nominating Mr Pollard as a chef to watch in 2019 in the Robb Report Magazine, Culinary Masters edition.

‘Jock showed us what was possible in South Australia taking Orana to the No. 1 restaurant in the country,” Mr Pollard said.

“We kept in touch and he offered me advice on how to move forward in my career and no matter how busy he got with MasterChef and other things he always made time for a quick chat if need be,” he said.

“He was a real mentor to me, Jock saw something in me back in 2019 that I didn’t even see in myself.

“He gave me the confidence to excel further in my career, take more risks, and he was only a phone call away if I needed to chat. He was an amazing guy.”

Singer Jimmy Barnes paid tribute to his fellow Scot in an emotional Instagram post. Picture: Instagram

“It‘s a very sad day. We’ve lost another dear friend,” Barnes wrote.

“Jock was like a brother to me and we made each other laugh and cry. My heart goes out to his family. I am speechless. Rest my friend xx”

In a statement released on Monday, Zonfrillo’s wife Lauren Friend and his four children said their hearts were “completely shattered”.

“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,” they said.

“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.”