According to Daily Mail Australia, police conducting a “welfare check” on the celebrity chef found nothing odd. The news site indicates he died of natural causes. A coroner’s report is pending.
The star chef, who is survived by his wife, Lauren, and four children, was alone in Melbourne when he died since he had recently moved his family to Italy and was only in Australia to promote the upcoming MasterChef season.
What Was The Reason For MasterChef Jock Zonfrillo’s Death?
In 2021, Zonfrillo’s colonoscopy revealed cancer, and he began treatment in June while filming MasterChef Celebrity 2. “No one in his circle is aware of what he is going through,” an insider allegedly claimed. No friends or colleagues.
“He has kept this difficult journey a secret. He’s not handling chemo well.” Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, and MasterChef co-stars Melissa Leong and Andy Allen have all paid homage to the award-winning chef since his death.
After Zonfrillo’s death, the show will air on Sunday night in Australia. A homage to Judge Zonfrillo will air one hour prior. Daily Mail Australia exposed his secret bowel cancer battle on Tuesday.
The Scottish-born chef was treated for the ailment when not filming MasterChef, where he was a popular judge.
Who Was Jock Zonfrillo?
Barry “Jock” Zonfrillo was a Scottish chef, television presenter, and restaurateur. MasterChef Australia judge and Orana Foundation founder.
Glasgow-born Zonfrillo was raised in Ayr. Ivan and Sarah, his parents, were barbers and hairdressers, respectively. His father is from Scauri, Italy, and his mother is Scottish from Dalmellington, Ayrshire. His sister was older. Zonfrillo attended Belmont Academy in Ayr.
How Did Jock Zonfrillo’s Career Become Bold?
At 12, Zonfrillo became a dishwasher at his older sister’s restaurant. When a chef had a motorcycle accident three weeks later, he continued cooking at the restaurant. Zonfrillo quit school at 15 to apprentice in The Turnberry Hotel’s kitchens. At this point, he began using heroin. 16-year-old Zonfrillo won Young Scottish Chef of the Year in 1993.
Through Rise to Head Chef:
Zonfrillo joined Chester’s one-Michelin-starred Arkle Restaurant after his apprenticeship. He sold drugs to support his heroin addiction while working at Arkle. After a dining room outburst, Zonfrillo was fired.
Move To Australia
2000 brought Zonfrillo to Australia. He quit heroin cold turkey in Sydney and has been clean since. He used Australian native products as head chef at Restaurant 41. Zonfrillo burned a trainee chef’s pants in 2002 for working too slowly.
After suffering hand burns, chef Martin Krammer sued Zonfrillo and won over $75,000 in 2007. Krammer’s creditor petition before the Federal Magistrates Court declared Zonfrillo bankrupt in May 2007. Krammer stated, “He [Zonfrillo] never paid me a cent.”
What Challenges Did Jock Face In His Restaurant?
In September 2017, he replaced Street ADL with Bistro Blackwood in Adelaide. In August 2017, Gourmet Traveler named Orana Australia’s 2018 Restaurant of the Year, and The Australian dubbed Zonfrillo Australia’s Hottest Chef. The Good Food Guide recognized Orana Australia’s 2019 Restaurant of the Year in October 2018.
Zonfrillo operated Nonna Mallozzi, an Italian food truck, in 2016 and 2017. Zonfrillo opened the Mallozzi bar in December 2018. He closed it in July 2019 after losing over $140,000. Bistro Blackwood closed in late 2019 and Orana in March 2020.
On October 5, 2020, the restaurant firms entered voluntary administration with $3.2 million in unpaid obligations. In October 2020, the administrators filed a preliminary report with ASIC detailing initial investigations into whether the restaurant companies were trading while insolvent, if there were unfair preferences or potential director duties, and related party loans. After Orana closed, Zonfrillo sold his Adelaide Hills family home.
What Did MasterChef Judge Jock Zonfrillo’s Daughter Say?
Two weeks after her father’s funeral, Ava Zonfrillo shared beautiful recollections. The eldest daughter of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo, Ava, has spoken out for the first time since his sudden death on 30 April.
46-year-old star chef died suddenly. On May 1, Network 10 and his family announced his death.
“We still can’t accept that we’ll be remembering you for more time than we had you, but that doesn’t mean we’ll love you any less,” Ava wrote on Instagram, posting photos and videos of her father.
Jock’s Recognitions And Awards
- 1993 Young Scottish Chef of the Year—Federation of Chefs Scotland
- The Advertiser Food Awards 2014, South Australia’s Best New Restaurant and Restaurant of the Year.
- In 2015, South Australian Restaurant of the Year—Advertiser Food Awards.
- In 2015, Chef of the Year—Restaurant & Catering Awards.
- The Australian’s Hot 50 Restaurants 2015 and 2016.
- In 2017, Hottest Chef & Hottest South Australian Restaurant – The Australian
- 2017 Good Food Guide Food for Good Award.
- In 2018, Gourmet Traveler was named Australia’s Restaurant of the Year. The Australian’s Hottest Chef 2018, 2018 Good Food Guide Award.
- In 2019, Good Food Guide named Australia’s Restaurant of the Year.
Conclusion
Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, and Marco Pierre White paid tribute to Zonfrillo after his sudden death.
“Very few chefs have an inquisitive mind, an intellectual mind, and a creative mind,” Pierre White said of his former apprentice chef. That makes him special, rare.”
“So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words. Keep this loyal Scot in your heart when you drink your next whisky.
On the other hand, if you have any queries related to the article and want to know other information about Jock’s life then tell us in the comment section at directorateheuk.org.
