MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo passes away at 46

The international culinary world woke up to the shocking news of the death of chef Jock Zonfrillo on Monday. The Scottish chef was based in Melbourne and became popular as a judge on MasterChef Australia. He was 46 at the time of his passing.

Jock Zonfrillo passes away at 46

The news of Jock’s passing became official as a note was shared from his Instagram account. The note read, “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.”

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A post shared by Jock Zonfrillo (@zonfrillo)

It further read, “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.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia, that they went to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton after getting a call. They went there for a welfare check and found Jock’s body there at about 2 am on Monday.

MasterChef Australia new season postponed

Coincidentally, the new season of MasterChef Australia was to begin on May 1. It features Jock as a judge for the last time, alongside friends and fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. However, owing to this sudden and shocking news, the new season has been postponed by a week.

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A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau)

The team at MasterChef Australia took to Instagram to share the update. Along with a heartfelt note for Jock, they wrote, “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.”

They added, “Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured. He will be greatly missed. MasterChef Australia will not air this week.“

Jock was one of the greats of the culinary world. His mastery in Italian cooking was exemplary. Jock is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children.

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