Network Ten MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo dead at age 46

Days before his death, the chef filled his social media with videos sharing cooking secrets. On Monday those accounts shared news of his passing.

Chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo.

Days before his death, Jock Zonfrillo filled his social media accounts with videos sharing his cooking secrets as he prepared pancakes, pasta dishes and homemade pickles.

In a recent Facebook post, the 46-year-old MasterChef judge is smiling as he chops up garlic alongside young son Alfie, turning to him to say “What are you doing? You can’t eat the garlic, you silly billy.”

Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren. Picture: Instagram

Yet on Monday afternoon his accounts shared news of his shock death to his hundreds of thousands of followers.

The Scottish-born chef was found dead at a hotel apartment in Melbourne’s inner north at 2am on Monday after police were called to the Lygon Street, Carlton, address for a welfare check.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

Zonfrillo was a popular host of the reality show. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Network Ten announced his death in a statement, saying the show’s 15th season – which had been due to start on Monday – would not air this week.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

Zonfrillo was named a Master­Chef judge in 2019 and was due to have a day full of publicity commitments on Monday ahead of the show’s season launch.

His family said they had “completely shattered hearts”.

A post from Jock Zonfrillo’s Instagram page.

“Without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” a statement said.

“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.”

Celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Nigella Lawson were among those to pay tribute to him.

“Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo’s passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia,” Ramsay tweeted.

Lawson wrote on her Instagram account: “My deepest, deepest sympathies and much love to Jock’s family and friends. How devastating. How unbearable. My heart goes out to you.”

Zonfrillo had previously spoken of his battle with drugs, including being a heroin addict at as a teenager. “We were smoking pot behind the bike sheds at 12, we were crumbling up ecstasy tablets and speed and taking them at school … and smoking heroin at 15, 16 when I was an apprentice,” he said in a 2021 TV interview.

His career was not without controversy. His Adelaide business Orana went into voluntary administration in 2020 and he owed millions of dollars in unpaid debts. In 2002, he also set fire to apprentice chef Martin Krammer for failing to work quickly enough at Sydney restaurant Forty One.

The Melbourne-based chef hosted MasterChef alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.

Leong had posted a selfie to ­Instagram hours ahead of the now postponed launch of the TV show and before learning of her co-star’s death.

Zonfrillo with fellow MasterChef hosts Andy Allen and Melissa Leong. Picture: Network Ten

Zonfrillo is survived by his wife, Lauren Fried, who was in Italy when he died, and his four children.

He has two children with Lauren, son Alfie and daughter Isla, and two children from his first two marriages, Ava and Sophia.

Paramount Australia and New Zealand executive vice-president Beverley McGarvey described the news as 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,” she said. “He was a wonderful colleague and friend (but) nothing brought him more joy or happiness than his family. Our thoughts are with them.”

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