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    Scottish chef turned Australian MasterChef judge dies at 46

    Jock Sonfrillo Photo: Getty

    Jock Sonfrillo, the Scottish chef who became a celebrity judge on the hit TV show MasterChef, has died at the age of 46 years in Australia.

    In a statement released on Monday morning, the Zonfrillo family said: “Totally broken hearted and not knowing how we can move through life without him.” , we are devastated to announce that Jock passed away yesterday.

    "So many words can describe it, so many stories can be told, but at this time we are too overwhelmed to tell them in words. For those who crossed his path, became his friend or were fortunate enough to be his family, keep this proud Scotsman in your hearts next time you drink whiskey.

    "We beg you, please let us mourn in private as we find a way to get through this and find a place on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend"

    Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was among media personalities who paid tribute to Zonfrillo.

    "Saddened by devastating news" Ramsay wrote. “I really enjoyed the time we spent together at MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and her family during this difficult time."

    The 15th episode of MasterChef was due to air on Australian TV on Monday night with guest Jamie Oliver who just yesterday shared touching personnel. on their social media, he and Zonfrillo share their passions with new members.

    Born in Glasgow, Zonfrillo trained in the southwest of Scotland at The Turnberry, a resort now owned by Donald Trump, before becoming a chef at the age of 22 at a hotel in Cornwall. In 2000, he took a job as a restaurant chef in Sydney and later opened his own restaurant in Adelaide. His success led to him being named one of Australia's top chefs, and he later caught the attention of the producers of the MasterChef series by hosting a hit cooking show in 2019.

    MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo. Photo: Wireimage

    In a joint statement released by Network 10 and the producers of Endemol Shine Australia, it was confirmed that the presenter died in Melbourne on Sunday. The statement added that the show would no longer air this week.

    "Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge, but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son" the statement says.

    “Determined, talented and tenacious, Jock was born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother, which meant that his formative years were heavily influenced by two strong cultures, namely his obsession with food and his desire for a new scooter, which in 12 years left Jock knocking on kitchen doors looking for work.

    Thanks to Jock's love and passion for food, he became one of the youngest culinary students to train at the Turnberry Hotel at just 15 years old. From that moment on, nothing held him back, and by the age of 17 he worked with Marco Pierre White at the Macro Pierre White restaurant of the same name"

    The statement continued: "Throughout his career he worked with by world renowned chefs and in restaurants around the world. His talent has shone in some of the world's most amazing cuisines, and after moving to Australia, he opened Blackwood Bistro and Orana Restaurant in Adelaide.

    " Joka's Orana Restaurant has been recognized with the coveted Three Hats Award in 2019 and 2020, and has won global accolades by winning the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize in 2018.

    "In 2019, Joka was appointed as a judge for MasterChef Australia, in which he prided himself on challenging and coaching contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.

    "Jock's charisma, wicked sense of humor, generosity, passion and the love for food and his family is unmeasurable. He will be greatly missed.

    Zonfrillo is survived by four children and his wife, Lauren Freed.

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