Sarah Harris was moved to tears when she remembered Jock Zonfrillo after the chief’s shocking death at the age of 46.
The Project star praised Jock’s “vulnerability” and openness about his struggles with anxiety, which he mitigated by carrying worry beads.
“He was never without his worry beads. And I love this about him, despite being such a manly Scott and drinking whisky, he knew there was strength in vulnerability,” the television host said on Monday’s show.
“He really worked to normalize the anxiety, and he said he would always keep those beads with him and press the beads if the anxiety got too much.
But more than that, he loved his food. He was Irish and Scotsman, and he once told us how to make carbonara without cream. He insisted on that.’
Sarah Harris was moved to tears as she remembered Jock Zonfrillo (pictured) after the chief’s shocking death at the age of 46. The Project star praised Jock’s “vulnerability” and openness about his struggles with anxiety, which he mitigated by wearing worry beads
Sarah choked to tears as she discussed what Jock’s family must be going through.
“I think that’s why it’s so hard to process. It’s so hard to see pictures of those beautiful children. Because he was in such a great place,” she said in a cracking voice.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.
A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body at about 2am Monday after being called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton for a welfare check.
“He was never without his worry beads. And I love this about him, despite being such a manly Scott and drinking whisky, he knew there was strength in vulnerability,” the television host said on Monday’s show. Sara is in the picture
“He really worked to normalize the anxiety, and he said he would always keep those beads with him and press the beads when the anxiety got too much,” she said
No cause of death has been released, but police say his death is not being treated as suspicious. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
“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.
“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.”
Sarah choked to tears as she discussed what Jock’s family must be going through. “I think that’s why it’s so hard to process. It’s so hard to see pictures of those beautiful children. Because he was in such a great place,” she said in a cracking voice
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried. (Zonfrillo, Fried, and their two children are seen here in a recent family photo)
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 MasterChef Australia on Channel 10 in 2019 with Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
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.
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.
In 2018, the year before he joined MasterChef, he was named Australia’s Hottest Chef by the Australian newspaper.
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A Victoria Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia they found Zonfrillo’s body around 2am Monday after being called to a hotel on Lygon Street in Carlton for a welfare check.