Heartbreak and tributes flow as Ava Zonfrillo mourns the tragic loss of her father

Three weeks after celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo’s untimely passing, his eldest daughter has broken her silence with a touching tribute to her father.

In a deeply emotional outpouring of love and grief, Ava Zonfrillo, the 22-year-old daughter of renowned celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo, has shared a touching tribute to her late father.

Three weeks after the MasterChef judge’s death, Ava took to Instagram on Sunday night to honour her beloved dad, accompanied by precious photographs capturing their cherished moments together.

“Still can’t accept that we’ll be remembering you for more time than we had you, but doesn’t mean we’ll love you any less. I love you dad, always,” Ava posted.

In an emotional tribute, Ava Zonfrillo, the 22-year-old daughter of renowned celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo, has shared a touching tribute to her late father. Picture: Instagram

Picture: Instagram

Zonfrillo, the esteemed MasterChef judge, was laid to rest at an intimate funeral held in Sydney on Saturday, May 13. The 46-year-old chef’s life was cut short on April 30 when his body was discovered at a Melbourne hotel on Lygon Street, just one day prior to the highly anticipated premiere of the Ten cooking series.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Zonfrillo’s wife and their four children were present at the private service, alongside esteemed colleagues and close friends from the culinary world. Notable TV chefs George Calombaris, Colin Fassnidge, and Manu Feildel paid their respects, standing shoulder to shoulder with Zonfrillo’s MasterChef co-judges, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong, who were also in attendance.

Ava Zonfrillo with her father Jock Zonfrillo. Picture: Instagram

Amid the gathering of mourners, legendary performer Jimmy Barnes stood tall, dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt, honouring Zonfrillo’s proud heritage. Together with his daughter Mahalia, Barnes solemnly delivered a heart-rending rendition of “Amazing Grace,” paying homage to the departed chef.

In the wake of Zonfrillo’s sudden and shocking death, the premiere of MasterChef was postponed by a week, with the understanding and approval of his grieving family.

On May 7, the highly anticipated series made its debut, providing solace and closure to both devoted fans and those closest to the late culinary icon.

In a gut-wrenching interview on The Project prior to the series’ launch, Andy Allen expressed his profound sense of loss over the untimely departure of his close friend.

Allen revealed that he had enjoyed a three-hour lunch with Zonfrillo just the day before his passing, emphasising the normalcy and joy they shared during their time together.

Jock Zonfrillo was laid to rest at an intimate funeral held in Sydney on Saturday, May 13. Picture: Julian Andrews

Reflecting on that final encounter, Allen confessed feelings of guilt for Zonfrillo’s wife and young children, who were abroad in Italy at the time of the tragedy. Overcome with regret, he stated, “Part of me just feels guilty that it wasn’t them … I just wish that it was them sitting there having lunch with Jock. I’d give anything to swap positions.” Allen also praised Lauren, Zonfrillo’s wife, as “the strongest woman I have ever known,” acknowledging the immense pain she now endures.

Melissa Leong, another of Zonfrillo’s MasterChef colleagues, took to social media to share her tribute to the late chef. In a heartfelt and lengthy post, she expressed her disbelief and sorrow at bidding farewell to a friend and mentor who had left an indelible mark on her life.

Leong acknowledged the immense influence Zonfrillo had on her, both in and out of the kitchen, praising his kindness, generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

The cause of Jock Zonfrillo’s death remains unknown

Originally published as Heartbreak and tributes flow as Ava Zonfrillo mourns the tragic loss of her father