What Happened to Jock Zonfrillo? What was His Cause of Death?
by Rajalaxmi
Updated May 02, 2023
Jock Zonfrillo
Barry "Jock" Zonfrillo was a Scottish-born chef, restaurateur, and television personality based in Melbourne, Australia. He was born on 4 August 1976 and unfortunately passed away on 30 April 2023. Zonfrillo was widely known for his innovative cooking techniques and his passion for using native Australian ingredients in his dishes. Zonfrillo began his culinary career in the UK, where he worked with some of the country's most renowned chefs, including Marco Pierre White and Gordon Ramsay.
In 2000, he moved to Australia and quickly established himself as one of the country's most exciting culinary talents. In 2011, Zonfrillo opened his flagship restaurant, Orana, in Adelaide, which quickly gained international acclaim. Orana was known for its focus on native Australian ingredients, with Zonfrillo traveling extensively throughout the country to source rare and unusual ingredients.
What Happened to Jock Zonfrillo?
Jock Zonfrillo, the renowned chef, cookbook author, and judge on MasterChef Australia passed away on April 30, 2023, at the age of 46. The devastating news of his death was confirmed by his family, who described him as their "irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son, and friend." He was born on August 29, 1976, in Glasgow, Scotland, Zonfrillo was renowned for his culinary expertise, unique cooking style, and commitment to preserving Indigenous Australian ingredients and recipes.
He moved to Australia in 2000, where he quickly made a name for himself as one of the country's leading chefs. Zonfrillo's career in Australia was marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious title of Chef of the Year at the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards in 2011, 2012, and 2013. He was also the owner and head chef of the acclaimed Restaurant Orana in Adelaide, which was recognized as Australia's Restaurant of the Year in 2018.
How Did Jock Zonfrillo Die?
Tragic news has emerged from Australia as MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo has passed away at the age of 46. According to a statement released by his family on Monday, Zonfrillo passed away, but no cause of death was given. Victoria state police, who were alerted to the death, said they were not treating it as suspicious. Zonfrillo was a renowned Scottish-Australian chef who was widely known for his culinary skills and his role as a judge on MasterChef Australia.
He had appeared in a popular cooking competition since 2020 and had quickly become a fan favorite with his warm personality and witty comments. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Zonfrillo moved to Australia in 2000, where he quickly made a name for himself in the restaurant industry. He went on to open his own restaurant, Restaurant Orana, which was named Australia's Restaurant of the Year in 2018.
Jock Zonfrillo Wife
Jock Zonfrillo's wife's name is Lauren Fried. Lauren is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and businesswoman, known for her exceptional leadership skills and her dedication to excellence in marketing and communications. As the founder and managing director of Pulse Collective, an award-winning agency based in Australia, she has established herself as a respected figure in the industry.
Lauren's journey as an entrepreneur began many years ago when she first developed a passion for marketing and communications. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of consumer behavior, she quickly rose through the ranks of several prominent companies, gaining valuable experience along the way. In 2010, Lauren decided to take the leap and launch her own agency. Pulse Collective was born, and from the very beginning, it was clear that Lauren had a winning formula.
Jock Zonfrillo Family
Jock Zonfrillo is a Scottish-Italian chef, restaurateur, and television personality known for his innovative cuisine and advocacy for the preservation of Indigenous Australian ingredients and culture. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1976, and raised in Ayr, where his parents ran a barber shop and hair salon. Zonfrillo's mother's family hails from Dalmellington, Ayrshire, while his father is from Scauri, Italy.
Zonfrillo attended Belmont Academy in Ayr before moving to London at the age of 19 to pursue a career in the culinary arts. He worked in some of London's top restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Quo Vadis, before moving to Australia in 2000 to work at Restaurant 41 in Sydney. In 2003, he opened his own restaurant, Restaurant 41° South, in Tasmania, which received critical acclaim and numerous awards.
In 2011, Zonfrillo moved to Adelaide and opened Orana, a restaurant that quickly gained national and international recognition for its use of Indigenous Australian ingredients and techniques. The restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller in 2018 and was awarded three hats in the Australian Good Food Guide. In addition to his work at Orana, Zonfrillo has been a judge on MasterChef Australia and has appeared on several other television programs.
Zonfrillo has been married three times and has four children. In January 2017, he married his third wife, Lauren Fried, whom he met on Twitter in 2014. The couple had a son in 2018, who was born premature and weighed only 1.2 kgs, as well as a daughter in 2020. Zonfrillo also has two daughters from his previous marriages.In 2020, Zonfrillo's restaurants were forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he and his family relocated from Adelaide to Melbourne.
Jock Zonfrillo Networth
Jock Zonfrillo's net worth is $ 5 million. Chef Jock Zonfrillo's restaurant empire in Adelaide, Australia, has suffered significant losses in recent years, leading to the closure of several establishments. Zonfrillo, known for his innovative and indigenous-inspired cuisine, opened Nonna Mallozzi in December 2018, but the restaurant struggled to turn a profit and ultimately closed in July 2019 after racking up losses of over $140,000.
The closure of Nonna Mallozzi was just the beginning of Zonfrillo's troubles. Later in 2019, Bistro Blackwood, another of his restaurants, closed its doors. This was followed by the closure of Orana, Zonfrillo's flagship establishment and the only restaurant in Adelaide to have received three hats from the Australian Good Food Guide. Orana was forced to shut down in March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry.
The combined debts of Bistro Blackwood and Orana amounted to approximately $3.2 million. Zonfrillo's long-term restaurant manager, Greta Wohlstadt, had resigned in the weeks leading up to the closure of Orana. Wohlstadt had worked with Zonfrillo for over a decade and was instrumental in the success of his restaurants. Her departure was a significant blow to Zonfrillo and the rest of his team.
The closure of Orana was a particularly difficult moment for Zonfrillo, who had built a reputation as one of Australia's most innovative chefs. The restaurant had been his passion project, and he had invested a considerable amount of time and energy into its development. Zonfrillo was devastated by the closure and spoke openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety in the aftermath.
What Happened to Jock Zonfrillo - FAQs
Jock Zonfrillo was a Scottish-born chef, restaurateur, and television personality based in Melbourne, Australia.
Jock Zonfrillo was known for his innovative cooking techniques and his passion for using native Australian ingredients in his dishes.
Jock Zonfrillo's flagship restaurant was Orana, which opened in Adelaide in 2011 and quickly gained international acclaim for its focus on native Australian ingredients.
The Orana Foundation was a non-profit organization founded by Jock Zonfrillo, dedicated to preserving and promoting indigenous food culture in Australia.
Jock Zonfrillo was a judge on the popular television show, MasterChef Australia, joining the show in 2020.