Chef and GraspChef choose Jock Zonfrillo has died.
The Scottish-born Zonfrillo, 46, was a famend chef of the much-awarded Orana restaurant in South Australia and joined the Channel 10 program in 2019 for the 2020 season alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.
Zonfrillo’s dying was confirmed by Channel 10 in a press release on the identical day GraspChef was scheduled to return for its 2023 season. The sequence has been pulled from broadcast for this week.
He died in Melbourne yesterday. A press release from Victoria Police mentioned officers attended a Lygon Street deal with for a welfare test, the place they positioned a deceased man at roughly 2am. The police mentioned the dying was not being handled as suspicious.
No reason behind dying has been launched.
His household mentioned: “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.
“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.”
Zonfrillo was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mom, rising up in a family with a powerful mixed-culture ethos, which is alleged to have fuelled his obsession with meals.
He began in search of work within the trade when he was 12 years outdated. He labored an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel at 15 and by the point he was 17, he was working with Marco Pierre White on the well-known chef’s restaurant.
He opened Bistro Blackwood and Restaurant Orana after shifting to Australia. Orana was constantly awarded as one of many world’s greatest culinary institution. Orana closed in 2020.
A press release from Channel 10 and Endemol Shine Australia mentioned, “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.
“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.
“Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed.”
Tributes from his colleagues have began to come back in. TV persona Georgia Love wrote on Instagram, “Absolutely devastating. Jock was so incredibly kind to me, particularly through some really tough times. I am so, so sorry to all his loved ones and everyone who will be affected by this awful news.”
Restaurateur and former My Kitchen Rules choose Colin Fassnidge posted, “RIP my friend, hope to have a whiskey again one day.”
Channel 9 host David Campbell tweeted, “This is terribly sad. My condolences to his wife and kids and all the people he works with,” whereas actor Rebecca Gibney wrote, “No words. Utterly heartbroken for you.”
Zonfrillo is survived by his spouse, Lauren, and 4 kids, Ava, Sophie, Alfie and Isla.
Originally printed as GraspChef choose Jock Zonfrillo lifeless at 46
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
