Posted on 05/01/2023 9:35:44 AM PDT by Red Badger
TV chef Jock Zonfrillo has died suddenly at just 46 years old, his devastated family has revealed.
Zonfrillo, originally from Glasgow Scotland, was a judge on the hit show MasterChef Australia.
He died leaving a wife and four children on the eve of his show’s new season premiere.
His body was reportedly found by authorities after he died unexpectedly in a Melbourne hotel room.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told The Daily Mail they found Zonfrillo’s body at about 2 am on Monday after they were called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton for a welfare check.
No cause of death has been disclosed.
However, police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.
The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur became a host of the popular Channel 10 cooking show in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
His death comes as MasterChef’s fifteenth season, featuring British TV chef Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was due to premiere on Ten on Monday night.
The show will not be airing this week in light of Zonfrillo’s passing.
“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,” his family said in a statement on Monday.
“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.”
Oliver, who recently wrapped filming with Zonfrillo, said he was in “total shock” over the death of his friend.
“I’m in total shock to wake up to the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo,” he wrote on Instagram.
“We had the best time working together for this year’s MasterChef.
“I can’t tell how good it was to work with him.
“Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful.
“Melissa, Andy, and Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors and each have their very own unique view and style.
“Jock will be so very missed.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this,” he added.
“Sending heartfelt love and condolences to all of his family, friends, and his second family, the MasterChef team and contestants.”
Other tributes from the celebrity and culinary worlds flooded in as the news broke.
Fellow expatriate chef and TV personality Colin Fassnidge told Daily Mail: “It’s so shocking.
“I’m sitting on a rock right now trying to take it in, I don’t know what to say. I’m floored.
“I’ve had to call my wife straight away when I heard.”
Fassnidge, who had been friends with Zonfrillo for 20 years and last saw him two weeks ago at the Taste of Adelaide food festival, said there was no indication anything was going wrong for him, and the news was a complete surprise.
“He was flying, he was doing a great job, he had a great show, he was on top of the world,” he said.
“Jock was normal, he was healthy and he was living a good life.”
“I just feel so sorry for his other half.”
Fassnidge revealed Zonfrillo’s passing had rocked the hospitality industry.
“We all battle each other in the ratings, but we’re all one big family in hospitality,” he said.
“At a certain level, all the chefs know each other.
“Everyone is ringing. Everyone knows the entire community is in shock.
“He’s another version of me. He likes a joke.
“He liked the whisky in the old days. He’s just a great TV host and a great cook.
“I don’t know what I think yet. We were rivals, and we were friends.”
British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay said on Twitter he was devastated by the news.
“I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia,” he said.
“Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time.”
Studio 10 host Narelda Jacobs wrote on Instagram: “Holding Jock’s family close to my heart and thinking of those in his circle at this saddest of time.
“He touched so many of us.”
MasterChef contestant Reynold Poernomo said: “I’m so shocked. Rest in peace, chef.
“My heart and condolences to [your] loved ones.”
Fellow franchise alum Khanh Ong added: “I’m so, so sorry. My condolences.”
I am not an anti vaxer. The covid jab is not a vaccine. But you know that.
It is NOT a vaccine and it does not prevent or stop the covid spread.
dforest wrote: “I am not an anti vaxer. The covid jab is not a vaccine. But you know that. It is NOT a vaccine and it does not prevent or stop the covid spread.
Anyone who believes those anti-vaxxer myths is an anti-vaxxer. It is a vaccine and it does prevent or stop the spread.
I call it clot shot because it causes blood clots and it is not a vaccine. It is actually good for nothing and does nothing for good.
I jes could not wait, girl. I am sooooooo excited. I SAID IT! /s
Big Red Badger wrote: “Not Hopeing...Witnessing.”
Yes, hoping in order to justify your anti-vaxxer beliefs.
And, no, you’re not witnessing a die off.
roflmao yeah that’s the ticket
Yeah, it was able to do what multiple wives and mother in laws failed at doing. And at such a young age.
RIP Chef
The entire government apparatus should face firing squads.
You bring up an interesting point. It would be instructive if someone had the time and motivation to do follow up research on all of these deaths headlined as "suddenly" and chronicle how many actually were autopsied and the reported results.
I think we would find that the media follows up on them rarely. I suppose a dedicated sleuth could use FOIA requests and get the results. Again, What percentage are even autopsied? I think if I were wealthy, I would hire an investigative firm to do just that.
Rather judgmental
Count me in. You smug Karens who wanted me to get fired for refusing an experimental shot that not only doesn't offer any protection from transmission but has some nasty 'died suddenly' side effects can keep right on getting your boosters till the cows come home.
The Jim Jones Jab is not a vaccine despite what the CDC changed their definition to.
From April 27th:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12033545/Arizona-girl-12-suffers-cardiac-arrest-playing-soccer.html
Suicide.
Usually in hotel rooms. And when the police are immediately closing the case it is obvious either hanging or gunshot
Right On Brother!
That’s impressive and original.
Where we live 90% of adults took the shots including most of the people we know. I think it is terrible the number of friends and family we have now lost to sudden unexplained deaths and others who have suffered horrible injuries. My own 13-year-old athletic cousin collapsed on the playing field from a massive stroke. He was revived with CPR and now has permanent brain damage. I blame uou and others who pushed for kids to have mandatory Covid shots to play sports or even go to school in some cases.
I do not know any people who tried to warn against the dangers of “vaccines” that were rushed to market without proper testing... who are happy about the huge increase in these types of deaths and severe injuries. I do know scores of people such as yourself who celebrated anyone who was unvaccinated and died from Covid.
Make no mistake! Those trying to force others into taking these horrible “vaccines” hold no moral high ground. Many are among the worst and most despicable self-righteous hypocrites that I have ever met. Anyone who wants to waste hours and days of their time can go through your sordid posting history to discover one of the best examples of a heartless hypocrite who has spent an inordinate amount of time spreading disinformation and making excuses for Fauci and company and those who manufactured the “vaccines”. For God's sake you know as well as I do that they have generated more adverse injury and death reports than all “vaccines” in history combined. For what nefarious reason do you continue to do this? I am sure the actual reason has nothing to do with your love for mankind.
I don’t want to say its the vaxx but.....
C’mon man - you’re deviating from the narrative.
Suicide.
Usually in hotel rooms. And when the police are immediately closing the case it is obvious either hanging or gunshot
Three Years of This WUHAN HOAX and
sad that our Personal medical care is up for Public Debate and Attack.
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