Grace Tame thanks Masterchef’s Jock Zonfrillo for his quiet support in heartfelt tribute
Grace Tame thanked Jock Zonfrillo for his “quiet support through the noise” in a heartfelt post following the celebrity chef’s death.
The former Australian of the Year said the 46-year-old, who was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room on Monday morning, had been an inspiration.
“Posthumous tribute paints glossy, bright pictures,” Ms. Tame wrote.
“But character is more often built, rebuilt, and tested deep in the trenches of life when no one picks up. The larger the battlefield, the greater the risks and wounds.
“If anyone’s career and personal legacy embodies passion, love of family, loyalty, resilience, self-sacrifice, generosity, compassion, openness and humor in the face of adversity and scrutiny – it’s Jock’s.”
Ms Tame revealed that Zonfrillo, 46, and his wife Lauren Fried had been quietly guiding her and her fiancé Max Heerey behind the scenes.
Grace Tame has revealed her surprising relationship with Jock Zonfrillo as she thanked the Masterchef judge for his ‘quiet support through the noise’ in a heartfelt post
Zonfrillo (pictured with his Masterchef co-hosts) was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room at 2am Monday morning, after police were called to conduct a welfare check
Mr. Heerey helped set up the Grace Tam Foundation, which campaigns and helps fund initiatives to prevent child sexual abuse.
“Max and I took a leap of faith and became partners in love and work, just like you and Lauren, because you two volunteered to take the time to meet and guide us, but more importantly, because you believed in us. ‘ she wrote.
You did that without expecting anything in return.
“Thank you for your silent support through the noise. Thank you for your vocal solidarity in the silence.
“Our hearts are with Lauren, all your children, family and everyone who loves you. From two forever young punks to the other, you will be sorely missed but never forgotten. With love and respect, GT and Max.’
Zonfrillo was found dead at 2am on Monday morning in a Melbourne hotel room after police were called to conduct a welfare check.
Ms Tame revealed that Zonfrillo (centre), 46, and his wife Lauren Fried had quietly guided her and her fiancé Max Heerey behind the scenes
Channel 10 sources say the near future of the show is in the hands of Zonfrillo’s wife, and stakeholders should respect any decision she makes (the couple is pictured)
The shocking news came hours before the Masterchef presenter was due to begin promotional duties for the Channel 10 show’s 15th series.
The fifteenth season of MasterChef, starring Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was set to premiere Monday night on Ten.
Producers announced that the show would not air this week in light of Zonfrillo’s passing and would not return until May 8.
The series is now in limbo as network bosses and sponsors — including key stakeholder Coles — consider whether and how to proceed in light of Zonfrillo’s death just hours before the show’s premiere episode.
Channel 10 sources say the show’s near future is in the hands of Zonfrillo’s wife, and stakeholders should respect any decision she makes.
Zonfrillo was found dead at 2am on Monday morning in a Melbourne hotel room, after police were called to conduct a welfare check
Masterchef producers announced that the show would not air this week in light of Zonfrillo’s passing and that it would not return until at least May 8.
“It will really come down to Jock’s family and what they think he would have wanted,” the Ten insider told Daily Mail Australia.
“Commercially and timing-wise, this is a disaster. It’s just diabolical.
“But even a major TV network wouldn’t be creepy enough to put anything other than the wishes of Jock’s family first.
“At the end of the day, it’s about whether they think he would have wanted the show to go on and if it’s too soon, it’s too soon. There will be a contingency plan no matter what decision is made.’
A big possibility is that Ten chooses to hold on to this current season until 2024 and air an alternative instead.
A tribute to Zonfrillo is also believed to be in production, with plans to air it in the coming days, but a Ten spokesperson declined to elaborate further.
His shocking death is not being treated as suspicious by police as the Scottish-born father of four was found alone and unresponsive in a hotel on Lygon St, Carlton.