May 1, 2023
By: Rahul VermaMasterChef Australia judge and celebrity chef Jock Zonfrillo passed away at 46, on Sunday. Before the debut of the initial episode of MasterChef Australia, Zonfrillo, along with his co-judges Jamie Oliver, Andy Allen and Melissa Leong, had taken a selfie that went viral after his death.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
Zonfrillo had a difficult teenage life, marked by drug addiction and expulsion from school, but he turned to cooking to cope, and found his passion. He later became a judge on MasterChef Australia and gained popularity for his unique culinary style.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
Zonfrillo started his career in the kitchen at 16 and has worked at several renowned restaurants in the UK, Australia, and Singapore.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
In 2000, he moved to Australia and opened his first restaurant, Bistro Dom, in Adelaide, which became highly acclaimed and awarded a chef's hat by the Good Food Guide.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
He later opened other successful restaurants, including Restaurant Orana, which was awarded Australia's Restaurant of the Year in 2018.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
Zonfrillo was known for his passion for using native Australian ingredients in his dishes and promoting the country's indigenous culture and cuisine.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
He won several awards throughout his career, including the Chef of the Year Award at the 2011 South Australian Food Industry Awards.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
Zonfrillo joined the MasterChef Australia judging panel in 2018 and quickly became a fan favourite for his honesty, wit, and culinary expertise.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo
He married his wife, Lauren Fried, and they had three children together. Zonfrillo passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy in the Australian culinary scene.
Credit: Jock-Zonfrillo