CHEF TRAGEDY
MASTERCHEF Australia host Jock Zonfrillo is said to have flown home early from a family holiday to launch his new series but was discovered dead just hours before it was due to premiere.
The Glasgow-born chef, 46, allegedly flew from Rome to Melbourne without his wife and two young children as more tragic details emerge about his last few days.
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The award-winning chef and host of one of Australia's favourite cooking shows, was discovered dead in his hotel room in the early hours of Monday after cops were called to carry out a welfare check.
Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious, but his cause of death has not been disclosed.
The highly-anticipated season 15 of MasterChef Australia was due to air this evening and only last night Zonfrillo had posted an excited teaser featuring Jamie Oliver in anticipation of the premiere.
It would be his last post on social media and was shared just hours before he died.
Zonfrillo reportedly flew back alone and early in the last few days ahead of the new season airing.
The Daily Telegraph Australia reported that his family were holidaying in Rome, where his father was born, but he left early and alone for his TV commitments.
The Scotsman is survived by his wife Lauren Fried and four children from three marriages.
The star's family shared a crushing statement on Instagram that 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."
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It continued: "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."
Zonfrillo's family have asked for privacy at this time.
His co-host, Melissa Leong, posted on Instagram about their upcoming season premiere, reportedly unaware that he died.
She has since deleted the post and is "devastated and broken," Network 10’s entertainment editor Angela Bishop revealed to news.com.au.
Fellow celeb chef and pal Colin Fassnidge said Jock was "on top of the world" during their last conversation six months ago.
Fassnidge, who appeared on My Kitchen Rules and Kitchen Nightmares, knew Zonfrillo for 20 years.
He told Daily Mail Australia: "It's so shocking."
"Jock was normal, he was healthy and he was living a good life. I just feel so sorry for his other half."
Zonfrillo had enjoyed a long and expansive career working as a star-studded chef and the culinary world is mourning his sudden death.
Gordon Ramsay tweeted: "Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo's passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia."
Jamie Oliver, who stars in the newest season alongside Zonfrillo, wrote: "In total shock to hear of the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo. Had the best time working with him for this year's MasterChef Australia.
"Jock was very generous with his time and spirit in the show and will be so very missed."
Nigella Lawson also lead the tributes with: "My deepest, deepest sympathies and much love to Jock's family and friends. How devastating. How unbearable. My heart goes out to you."
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Zonfrillo's life was famously colourful, and he spoke openly about his previous battles with heroin addiction and turning his life around.
Back in 2020, he revealed how being given a job by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White back in 1994 had saved his life from heading further into drugs and partying.
He said he would have been in a "pine box" if he hadn’t been taken on as a 17-year-old trainee at the food legend’s flagship restaurant and later saved by the chef from becoming homeless.
The Scotsman released a memoir in 2021 about his years as a heroin addict before and his career in London before successfully kicking it and moving to Australia.
Zonfrillo became head chef at Sydney’s Restaurant 41 in 2000 and over 20 years built up a formidable reputation as a top chef Down Under.
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He was named Australia’s Hottest Chef in 2018 and in 2019, he joined MasterChef Australia as a judge alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen.
Friends say he was positive about the latest series of MasterChef and excited about working alongside his friend Jamie Oliver.
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