SHOCK OF LOSING JOCK
YOU South Africa|18 May 2023
Foodies around the world were stunned by the death of MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo. We look back at his colourful life
DENNIS CAVERNELIS
SHOCK OF LOSING JOCK

HE SEEMED to have the world on a platter – a beautiful family, fame, a job he loved. International awards came his way, he opened cutting-edge restaurants and he was beloved on MasterChef Australia as the frank but fair judge with the worry beads and the thick Scottish brogue.

Yet for all the accolades and achievements, what Jock Zonfrillo (46) longed for was a small house in the middle of nowhere with his kids and pets.

“Just a simple, uncomplicated life away from everyone,” he said in what would be his final interview. “Not the flashy extravagant lifestyle you’d expect from a TV person.”

And it seemed he was going some way towards achieving it, spending time away from the cameras and the kitchen in Rome, Italy, with his second wife, Lauren Fried (46), and their kids, Alfie (5) and Isla (2).

But the showbiz boat surged on and Jock was back in Australia to promote the latest season of MasterChef when the unthinkable happened: he was found dead in his hotel room.

A few days later the news was followed by another gut punch: Jock had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and was undergoing chemotherapy while shooting the second season of Master Chef in 2021.

“No one in his circle was aware of what he was going through,” an insider says. “He didn’t want anyone to know because he didn’t want people feeling sorry for him or treating him any different.”

At the time of going to print, Australian authorities hadn’t revealed the cause of death, but weren’t treating it as suspicious.

HE WAS born Barry Zonfrillo, the son of Sarah, a Scottish hairdresser, and Ivan, an Italian barber, and grew up in the small town of Ayr near Glasgow.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM YOU SOUTH AFRICAView all
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
YOU South Africa

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST

With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
YOU South Africa

SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES

John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
YOU South Africa

SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG

A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
LIAM LAID TO REST
YOU South Africa

LIAM LAID TO REST

More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
SHILOH HANGS OUT
YOU South Africa

SHILOH HANGS OUT

THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
LEO IN LOVE
YOU South Africa

LEO IN LOVE

He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down

time-read
3 mins  |
5 December 2024
PACKING A PUNCH
YOU South Africa

PACKING A PUNCH

Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
YOU South Africa

I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD

As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
YOU South Africa

'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'

A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
YOU South Africa

THE CLAWS ARE OUT!

Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William

time-read
7 mins  |
5 December 2024