EXCLUSIVE: Colin Fassnidge breaks his silence on the death of his buddy Jock Zonfrillo and reveals their heartbreaking final conversation
- Colin Fassnidge is shocked by the death of Jock Zonfrillo
- The pair have been friends for 20 years
An emotional Colin Fassnidge said fellow chefs are struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his friend and fellow chef Jock Zonfrillo.
MasterChef host and award-winning chef Zonfrillo passed away suddenly on Sunday at the age of 46, his family confirmed through a statement from Network Ten and production company Endemol Shine.
A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body at about 2am Monday, after being called to an address on Lygon Street in Carlton for a welfare check.
His death is not being treated as suspicious. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Fassnidge, who appeared on My Kitchen Rules and Kitchen Nightmares, has been friends with Zonfrillo for 20 years, telling Daily Mail Australia that he and the “entire community” are struggling to come to terms with the tragic news.
MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo passed away in Melbourne on Sunday aged 46, his family have confirmed
Colin Fassnidge said fellow chefs are struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his friend and fellow chef Jock Zonfrillo.
‘It’s so shocking. I’m sitting on a rock right now trying to take it in, I don’t know what to say. I’m floored.
“I had to call my wife as soon as I heard.”
Fassnidge said there was no indication anything was wrong with Zonfrillo, and the news came as a complete surprise.
The pair speak regularly, but their last in-depth conversation was six months ago.
“He flew, he did a great job, he had a great show, he was on top of the world.
“Jock was normal, he was healthy and he lived a good life.
“I just feel so sorry for his other half.”
Fassnidge said Zonfrillo’s passing has turned the hospitality industry upside down.
“We’re all competing in the ratings, but we’re all one big family in hospitality,” he said.
‘On a certain level, all the chefs know each other.
‘Everyone is calling. Everyone knows that the whole community is in shock.’
Fassnidge said he and Zonfrillo became good friends because they looked alike.
“He’s a different version of me. He likes a joke. He used to love the whiskey, he’s just a great TV presenter and a great cook.
“I don’t know what I think yet, we were rivals and we were friends.”
Fassnidge said he will remember Zonfrillo as “a great chef, with a great sense of humour.”
“We used to joke about Scottish and Irish people wearing the same clothes. But I told him he stole the idea of wearing a waistcoat on TV from me in My Kitchen Rules.”