Scottish-born Jock Zonfrillo, a well-known chef who worked at the award-winning Orana restaurant in South Australia, passed away in Melbourne at the age of 46.
His death comes as a shock to the culinary world, leaving his family, friends, and fans devastated.
Zonfrillo rose to fame with his remarkable culinary skills and passion for native Australian ingredients. He was widely respected and admired for his efforts in promoting Indigenous culture and cuisine in the country.
In 2019, Zonfrillo joined the judging panel of Channel 10’s MasterChef Australia for the 2020 season, alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. The trio was well-received by audiences and continued to feature in the show’s subsequent seasons.
Channel 10 released a statement on the day of the scheduled airing of MasterChef’s 2023 season, confirming Zonfrillo’s untimely death. As a result, the network decided to postpone the show for this week.
The announcement left fans heartbroken, with many taking to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to the late chef. Zonfrillo’s presence and contribution to the show will be deeply missed by all who knew him and his work.
Zonfrillo’s family issued a statement expressing their profound grief over his passing. They requested privacy to mourn their loss and celebrate the memory of their beloved husband, father, brother, son, and friend.
The family also thanked everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. They asked that those who knew him keep him in their hearts and memories and continue to carry forward his legacy.
Zonfrillo’s death has left a void in the culinary world that will be hard to fill. He was a talented chef and an advocate for Indigenous cuisine, working towards preserving and promoting it in Australia.
His Orana restaurant received numerous accolades, including the Restaurant of the Year award in 2018 by Gourmet Traveller
Zonfrillo’s efforts in promoting native ingredients were also recognized by the Australian government, who awarded him the Order of Australia in 2018.
Jock Zonfrillo Wife: Meet Lauren Fried
Jock was married to Lauren Fried they had children together, before Lauren, Jock Zonfrillo has bee married twice in the past.
The couple met on Twitter in October 2014.
In February 2018, Fried and Zonfrillo had a son who was born two months premature and weighed only 1.2 kgs
Aiva Arthur
