Born in Scotland and father of four children, he emigrated to Australia in 2000 and became one of the country’s best-known restaurateurs. Celebrity chef and MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo has died, his family announced on Monday. He was only 46 years old. Nothing was initially known about the cause of death.
Zonfrillo’s previous restaurant, Orana, in Adelaide was considered one of the best in the country, winning multiple awards. His culinary art was a homage to the country’s culinary history: his creations were repeatedly inspired by the traditions of the Aborigines. In 2016 he founded the “Orana Foundation”. The aim of the non-profit organization is to preserve the food culture and knowledge of the Australian Aborigines.
In 2021, Zonfrillo published his memoir, Last Shot, about his drug addiction during his years in the UK.
“It is with complete broken hearts and without knowing how to go through life without him that we sadly have to announce that Jock passed away yesterday,” the family said in a statement. Network 10 has announced that the broadcast of the latest season of “MasterChef Australia” will be postponed. (dpa)
