Pastry chef Darren Purchese has paid tribute to his close friend Jock Zonfrillo after his shock death on Monday at the age of 46.
Darren, 48, who is from the UK, said he and Jock once met on the set of MasterChef Australia when they appeared as guest chefs and instantly bonded.
Darren spoke about his close relationship with Jock on The Project on Monday, saying that although the Scots had “hard times in his life,” he would always show up for his friends if they needed a chat or support.
“It’s a huge loss,” Darren told hosts Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris.
“I woke up this morning excited to see him on MasterChef, he loved mentoring people and seemed to love his life so I’m in shock sitting here talking about a good friend of mine,” said Darren.
Pastry chef Darren Purchese has paid tribute to his close friend Jock Zonfrillo after his shock death on Monday at the age of 46. He appeared on The Project and talked about their friendship
“He was a kind of friend that I really appreciated, I could talk to him about anything. We met a few years ago on the set of MasterChef, we had the same friends in London… we really hit it off and he’s had some rough times in his life and so have I.’
“He was the friend I could always call and he answered and I know he has done the same for other people… my heart goes out to his family, he was a devoted family man. He was a good friend to me and someone I could always turn to.’
He added, “He did a lot of thoughtful and kind things, big and small. He had a bad sense of humour. I can’t say enough about the man. He was a star and a phenomenal chef and such a wonderful person. It’s a huge loss.’
Darren spoke about his close relationship with Jock on The Project on Monday, saying that although the Scots had “hard times in his life,” he would always show up for his friends if they needed a chat or support. “It’s a huge loss,” he said
Jock Zonfrillo’s shock death at the age of 46 was announced by his family on Monday.
His death comes as the fifteenth season of MasterChef, starring Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was set to premiere Monday night on Ten.
The show will not air this week due to Zonfrillo’s passing.
A report will be prepared for the coroner after Zonfrillo’s body was found at about 2 a.m. Monday.
“With hearts completely shattered and with no way of knowing how to go through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday,” his family said in a statement Monday.
Jock’s shock death was announced on Monday in a family statement on Instagram and below it, a number of celebrities expressed their condolences
“There are so many words to describe him, so many stories to be told, but right now we are 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 Scotsman in your heart when you have your next whisky.”
They continued, “We beg you to please let us grieve in private as we find a way to navigate this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend.”
The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur co-hosted popular cooking show Channel 10 with Andy Allen and Melissa Leong in 2019.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and Alfie and Isla, with Fried.
The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur became host of the hit cooking show Channel 10 in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong
Zonfrillo, who began his career working for Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White in the UK, famously overcame a heroin addiction during his teenage years in Glasgow before becoming one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs.
He once said he owed his life to food, telling an interviewer, “It saved my life. Many of my friends from my early days are now dead or in prison.
“The point of being a junkie is that the only way you can get out is if there’s something in your life that’s more compelling than drugs. And for me, I had another addiction: food and cooking. That’s what moved me on. That’s how I survived.’
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and Alfie and Isla, with Fried