Obit:Jock Zonfrillo, Celebrity Chef and MasterChef Judge

Celebrity chef and television host Jock Zonfrillo has died in Melbourne, Australia at the age of 46. He was a beloved figure on the Australian culinary scene, having appeared as a judge on the hit show MasterChef for almost four years.

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Early Life and Career

John “Jock” Zonfrillo was born in Scotland and moved to Australia with his family when he was four. He began his career in the restaurant industry at the age of 16, working his way up from dishwasher to head chef. He opened his first restaurant, Orana, in Adelaide in 2013. The restaurant was highly acclaimed, receiving two hats from the Australian Good Food Guide and being named Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller.

Television Career

In 2017, Zonfrillo joined the cast of MasterChef Australia as a judge, alongside Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston, and George Calombaris. He quickly became a fan favorite due to his warm personality and passion for food. He also hosted his own cooking show, Jock’s Kitchen, which aired on the ABC in 2018.

Legacy

Zonfrillo was an advocate for indigenous Australian food and culture. He founded the Orana Foundation in 2014, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the unique food culture of indigenous Australians. He also wrote two cookbooks, Jock’s Kitchen and Jock’s Kitchen: Indigenous.

Jock Zonfrillo will be remembered for his passion for food and dedication to preserving indigenous Australian culture. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and fans around the world.

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