On the eve of the premiere of the new season of “MasterChef Australia,” Jock Zonfrillo, a judge on the programme, passed away unexpectedly. He was 46.
According to a statement from Australian broadcaster Network 10, his death has been verified, according to cnn.com.
According to the announcement, the broadcaster died suddenly on Sunday in Melbourne without a known cause of death.
Zonfrillo joined the well-known culinary competition in 2019 and was scheduled to appear with guest judge British chef Jamie Oliver at the debut of the new season on Monday.
According to a statement from Network 10, the programme has been taken off the air.
Zonfrillo, who was born in Glasgow in 1976, received his training from some of the most renowned chefs in the world. He started his career in the kitchen in London, England, working for chef Marco Pierre White, whom he subsequently credited with saving his life.
According to his biography “Last Shot,” which was released last year, Zonfrillo took heroin as a youngster in Glasgow, and drug addiction dogged him for years while he built on his early success.
He was the presenter of many food shows, such as “Nomad Chef,” which provided an inside look at the cuisine of some of the world's most isolated villages, as well as “Restaurant Revolution” and “Chef Exchange.”
Lauren Fried, his wife, and their four children survive Zonfrillo.
Network 10 obtained a statement from Zonfrillo's family in which they expressed their shock and grief at his demise.
We are now too overwhelmed to put him into words, and there are many tales that could be shared. Keep this proud Scot in your hearts the next time you sip whisky for those who crossed his path, became his partner, or were fortunate enough to be his family.
The message went on to say, “We beg you, kindly, to allow us to mourn quietly while we find a way to traverse this and find room on the other side to honour our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son, and friend.
Celebrity chef Oliver said on Facebook that he was in “total shock” after learning of Zonfrillo's death.
Jock was really kind to me with his time and energy in the event, and for that I was truly appreciative, he wrote. “We had the best time working together for this year's master chef Jock.”
“Jock is going to be sorely missed… He said, “I can't believe I'm writing this.
“Devastating news” was how British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay described Zonfrillo's death.
“I had a great experience working with you on MasterChef in Australia. I'm sending Lauren and the family my deepest sympathies at this trying time.
