Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren Fried shares emotional message almost a year after his death and reveals her plans to share his legacy

Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren Fried has shared an emotional message almost a year after the sudden death of the MasterChef Australia judge.

The business consultant took to Jock’s Instagram page on Friday to share a heartbreaking video discussing her grief and her plans to share Jock’s legacy.

Much-loved celebrity chef Jock tragically passed away last year and was found dead at a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD, on April 30, 2023.

He is survived by his wife Lauren, their two children Alfie, seven, and Isla, three, as well as his two adult daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages.

Just days before the first anniversary of his death, Lauren spoke about “finding her feet” as a “solo parent” and how her two children have adjusted after their tragic loss.

In an emotional video she shared: ‘Next week will be a year since we lost Jock. I have no idea where that time went.

“I really had plans to release more of his projects, but somewhere between trying to find my way as a solo parent – ​​and going through long periods where I found it really difficult to watch videos and photos of Jock – the plan did not go according to plan.

“Jock’s legacy is in his children and his work, both of which have given me great meaning this past year.

“I’ve been focusing on the kids and they’re doing really well, they’re actually thriving and have found their new normal. I think we created two special little people there.”

Lauren further explained how she plans to share Jock’s legacy with his fans, saying she wants to focus on posting previously unseen content from the chef.

The business consultant took to Jock’s Instagram page on Friday to share a heartbreaking video discussing her grief and her plans to share Jock’s legacy.

She continued, “So now I just want to focus on work.

‘I have hundreds and hundreds of hours of Jock cooking his favorite recipes, explaining what vinegar or oil he used in different things, things he discovered on our travels, fun behind the scenes stuff, interviews, and it’s part of my life that I want to share with everyone again.

‘I’ll start posting again as soon as possible. Please try to treat them as normal. If you have any questions about the recipe or method, feel free to ask, put them in the comments, and if I can’t answer them, I’ll ask one of his chefs.

“The purpose of putting it up is for us to enjoy it, Jock, so I hope you do too.”

Jock was found dead at the Zagame house hotel in Carlton, close to Melbourne’s CBD, on April 30 last year around 2 a.m.

Much-loved celebrity chef Jock tragically passed away last year and was found dead on April 30, 2023 at a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD.

He is survived by his wife Lauren, their two children Alfie, seven, and Isla, three, (all pictured), as well as his two adult daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages.

Lauren was in Italy at the time with their two children and had called Victoria Police to request a welfare check as he had stopped answering her calls.

His sudden death was still under investigation in March, almost a year after his tragic passing, the Victoria Coroner confirmed at the time.

Jock’s death came just one day before the 2023 season of MasterChef was set to premiere, and the broadcast was postponed for a week ‘out of respect’.

Network 10 dedicated the fifteenth season to Jock and his family as they aired his scenes posthumously, acknowledging his “sudden and tragic passing.”

His co-star Andy Allen admitted he almost didn’t return to the show this year after Jock’s death, but said he was ‘so happy’ he decided to deal with the grief.

His co-star Andy Allen (right) admitted he almost didn’t return to the show this year after the death of Jock (left), but said he is now ‘so happy’ he decided to deal with the grief.

‘It was heavy. I didn’t know if I would do it. I’m so glad I did that, I really am, but it was hard,” the judge told The Project panel as the 2024 season of MasterChef kicked off earlier this month.

‘The first scene [of the show] I’m alone in the kitchen, completely dark, just me… that helped me on my way.’

He went on to say that everything changed “as soon as the contestants came in, as soon as the new three judges came in,” and he found himself “carried away.”

‘It was just business. That whole MasterChef thing, the spirit, the passion, it captivates everyone, and it did the exact same thing to me,” he added.