Chef and MasterChef Australia judge, Jock Zonfrillo, has died aged 46

Jock Zonfrillo, who was born in Glasgow, has died suddenly aged 47. The award-winning chef's sudden death was confirmed by his family, who shared a statement on Facebook.

His cause of death was not given. A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.

His family wrote: "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.

"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. For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.

"We implore you to please let us grieve privately as we find a way to navigate through this and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend."

The news came just hours before the 2023 season of MasterChef Australia had been due to air, Channel 10 has confirmed on social media that the show will not be broadcast this week as planned. 

"Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family. Jock passed away in Melbourne yesterday. MasterChef Australia will not air this week."

About Jock Zonfrillo

A Scottish television presenter and chef based in Melbourne, Australia, Jock started working in kitchens as a dishwasher part-time at the age of 13, while still at school. He left school aged 15 and started an apprenticeship at The Turnberry Hotel, before moving to Arkle Restaurant in Chester and then to work with Marco Pierre White. He made head chef aged just 22 at The Tresanton Hotel in Cornwall.

Before moving to Australia permanently, Josk had spent a year there working at Restaurant 41 in Sydney.

He returned in January 2000 as the head chef at Restaurant 41 in Sydney. In November 2013, he opened Restaurant Orana and Street ADL in Adelaide, replacing Street ADL with Bistro Blackwood in September 2017.

He achieved a number of accolades including, Australia's 2018 Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller magazine; Australia's 2018 Hottest Chef in The Australian and in October 2018, Orana was named Australia's 2019 Restaurant of the Year by The Good Food Guide, as well as being a three hatted restaurant in the 2019 and 2020 Chef Hat Awards.

He closed Orana in March 2020.

In October 2019, Zonfrillo was announced as one of the new judges for MasterChef Australia.