Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren shares heartbreaking announcement following the MasterChef Australia star’s death

Lauren Zonfrillo, the widow of late MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo, has announced she has written a book about her tragic loss.

In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, the brave widow thanked her followers and described the famed celebrity chef’s sudden death last year as a “catastrophe.”

Jock, who tragically died on April 30, 2023, was found unconscious in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD.

“The children and I are surrounded by so much care, so many people felt the loss of Jock,” she said in the Instagram video.

‘It has been very difficult for me to explain how we came from an absolute catastrophe to the new version of our lives, which despite everything is quite bright and optimistic.

“So I wrote my book, and that’s it [about] my journey through grief,” she wrote alongside the cover of Till Death Do Us Part, which shows her sharing a passionate kiss with Jock.

“So I wrote my book, and that’s it [about] my journey through grief,” she wrote alongside the cover of Till Death Do Us Part, which shows her sharing a passionate kiss with Jock. Pictured

She also explained how writing the book worked.

“I reread journals from some very dark and broken places and probably undid some of my progress, to be honest.

‘But it did make me think more deeply about some very complex parts of grief and that is why I now wrote about my spirituality and my connection with Jock.

Lauren also shared heartbreaking details as she dealt with Jock’s death.

‘I write about… the physical response to trauma that has affected my memory, my mind and body…

“I had three- and five-year-olds who needed a normal level of parenting, which is quite a lot at that age,” she continued.

‘And they needed extra care and care because they had to live with sadness.

“And that was at a time when I didn’t even change my clothes or cut my hair and it was all so overwhelming and lonely.

Lauren said writing the book took her to “dark places.”

She also shared that her family is now feeling optimistic after losing Jock almost two years ago. Pictured: Lauren with the children she shares with Jock, Alfie, seven, and Isla, three

“But by building a bigger life, I was able to make sadness a smaller percentage of it and create room for happiness, and that’s what we are today.”

In a caption she posted in the post, she said she hoped the book would help people going through loss.

‘I’m not a psychologist, I’m not even a writer. But I wrote a book, Till Death Do Us Part.’ she posted.

‘This is a book about my experiences with traumatic loss, the kind of support I searched for in the shadows of grief, and nostalgia for a life that no longer existed.

And for those who are facing loss, I’m writing this book so that your hands can land on it as you search in the darkness for something, anything, that can give you stability. Loz’

Lauren’s brave revelation inspired many followers to post messages of support in the comments.

‘What a beautiful and generous thing to do. Somewhere out there, someone has a wound in the form of your words,” one fan said.

Another said: ‘Incredibly strong and resilient. Loz can’t wait to read it.’

“So much admiration for you Loz,” another user shared.

Fans, friends and family were shocked when news broke of Jock’s sudden death in 2023.

Lauren and the rest of the family were on vacation in Italy when Jock’s sudden death occurred.

Alarmed when he stopped answering her calls, Lauren contacted Victorian police, leading to the devastating discovery.

In the months following Jock’s death, Lauren took over his Instagram account and used it as a platform to continue his legacy, sharing her journey through grief and the challenges of solo parenting.

Jock was found dead at Zagame’s House hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD, at around 2am on April 30 last year.

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.

Till Death Do Us Part, Life Without Jock and Learning to Live with Intention by Lauren Zonfrillo will be published by Penguin on May 6, 2025