MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, 46, has died

Channel 10 has announced the new series of MasterChef Australia will air this Sunday with the blessing of Jock Zonfrillo’s family.

MasterChef Australia will air this Sunday with the blessing of Jock Zonfrillo’s family.

Channel 10 said in a statement on Wednesday, Zonfrillo “took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks”.

“It is with Jock in our hearts that we cherish this season and remember the charismatic and big-hearted Judge and Chef who we knew and loved. Jock will be remembered in the MasterChef Australia kitchen for years to come.”

The network said a special edition of The Sunday Project will pay tribute to Jock from 6.30pm on Sunday.

MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen has shared a heartfelt tribute to his “inspirational” former colleague Jock Zonfrillo, who was found dead in Melbourne.

Police confirmed Zonfrillo’s body was found at 2am on Monday at Zagame’s House, a boutique hotel on Lygon St, Carlton, near where he lived.

A spokesman said officers had been called to conduct a welfare check.

The circumstances of Zonfillo’s death are not yet known, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

Allen said life would “never be the same” after the celebrated chef’s shock death.

The Three Blue Ducks co-owner was the first MasterChef Australia judge to publicly respond to Jock’s passing — 24 hours after news first broke of the tragedy.

“When I met you 5 years ago I knew our lives were about to change forever,” he wrote.

“What I didn’t realise is how close Alex and I would become outside of the kitchen with you, Lauren and your kids. You’ve become such an inspirational and important part of our lives.”

MasterChef judges Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo, Andy Allen. Picture: Ten

“Sure, you’ve taught me so much about food, but it’s the lessons I learnt about what it means to be a great father, husband and friend that I’ll take away from our time together and will last forever.”

“I’ll miss the way you mentored me and every contestant that walked into the MasterChef kitchen, I’ll miss you ordering the entire menu no matter how many dishes deep and making me eat every last bite, I’ll miss your morning on-set coffees that made me shake from the amount of caffeine you were able to extract out of every individual bean, I’ll miss the morning FaceTimes with Loz, Alfie and Isla, but overall I’ll miss you looking out for me every single day.”

Andy Allen and Jock Zonfrillo. Pic: Karon Photography

“Thanks for making me constantly laugh and being there when I needed to cry.

“You really were the complete package mate and life will never be the same without you.”

Fellow co-host Melissa Leong posted a tribute an hour later, sharing her admiration for the chef’s kindness and generosity.

Leong said she couldn’t believe the impact he’d have on her life or that he’d be taken so soon.

“I could never have guessed how much of an impact your arrival in my life would have, or that we would be saying goodbye to you so soon,” she wrote

“You were always supposed to be the bulletproof one who outlived us all.”

“In that time, I have seen what true excellence looks like both in the kitchen and outside of it; your kindness and generosity, the many lives you’ve lived, the way you carried far more on your shoulders than most could ever know.”

“Thank you for challenging me daily, for making me better, my work buddy and friend, purveyor of excellent morning coffees, hater of pears, okra and nasturtiums”.

Allen’s tribute comes as the wife and children of beloved MasterChef Australia judge are flying back to Australia after he was found dead in Melbourne.

Zonfrillo’s family said they were “devastated” by his death.

“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.

The chef and TV host joined the new look MasterChef line up in 2020. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“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.

“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.”

Jimmy Barnes said he was “speechless” by the news.
“Jock was like a brother to me and we made each other laugh and cry,” he wrote on Twitter.

It’s a very sad day. We’ve lost another dear friend. 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 pic.twitter.com/MFnhcllTsc

— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) May 1, 2023

MasterChef guest judge Jamie Oliver shared a touching tribute on Instagram after waking to learn of the tragedy, saying he was in “total shock”.

“We had the best time working together for this years MasterChef, I can’t tell you how good it was to work with him,” he said.

“Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful.

The circumstances of Zonfillo’s death are not yet known, but it is not being treated as suspicious.

“Melissa, Andy & Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors and each have their very own unique view and style.”

It comes as co-host Melissa Leong, unaware of Zonfrillo’s death, on Monday posted a promo for the first episode of MasterChef’s new season, which was due to air on Monday night.

“Tonight we’re back with a brand new pal,” Leong posted alongside a picture of herself with Zonfrillo, Andy Allen and Jamie Oliver.

Channel 10 confirmed the show would not air this week.

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, who won Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, said it was devastating to wake up to the news of Jock Zonfrillo’s passing.

Now based in Texas, Riewoldt remembered the MasterChef judge as the “most kind, generous, charismatic man”.

“First thoughts go out to Jock and his family, what they must be going through,’’ Riewoldt told Footy Talk podcast.

“A great family man, beautiful wife, young children, their worlds are changed forever.

“In a world of showbiz he was just a real person, happy to have conversations and reach out in times of need. I was a beneficiary of Jock’s generosity and compassion a number of times. A beautiful man who will be sorely missed.”

Zonfrillo had been a fan favourite since joining MasterChef in 2020, alongside Leong and Allen.

He has previously spoken of his battles with drug addiction, homelessness, unemployment and chaos in his personal life.

While he said he’s not proud of his past, the father of four has always managed to pull himself back up in business.

He became one of the youngest culinary students to do an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at just 15.

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

— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) May 1, 2023

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.

The Glasgow-born chef has four children: two adult daughters, Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, plus Alfie and Isla with wife Lauren Fried.

“Two divorces, a handful of friends because you don’t have the time to spend with them, so therefore you can count your close friends on one hand, and a deep mistrust of most people,” he said in a 2014 interview of his time in the industry.

“That’s what you’re left with at the end of the day. Is it really that glamorous after all? I don’t think so.’’

Jock Zonfrillo and wife Lauren.

Jock is survived by his wife Lauren and children.

He married Fried on New Year’s Day, 2017.

“I just can’t imagine a life without you and I’m so grateful to share a life with such an epic woman, leader, businesswoman and mamma. I’m a better man, a prouder father and I hope a better husband,” he previously said.

In a statement, Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia said they were “deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family”.

“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,” the statement read.

MasterChef Australia, which was due to return to screens Monday night, will not air this week. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“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.

“Throughout his career he worked with world famous chefs and in restaurants all over the world. 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.

“Jock’s Restaurant Orana was recognised with the coveted distinction of three hats in both 2019 and 2020 and he also received global accolades, accepting the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize in 2018.

“In 2019, Jock was named as a judge on MasterChef Australia in which he took great pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.

“Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed.”

Originally published as MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, 46, has died