MasterChef Australia season 15 was supposed to premiere on May 1, 2023, but following the heartbreaking news of Jock Zonfrillo’s death, channel Ten has decided to postpone the show’s release out of respect to Zonfrillo’s family. The chef’s death comes just one day before the season was all set to premiere on April 30, 2023.
Jock Zonfrillo was one of the judges on MasterChef Australia, along with Melissa Leong and Andy Allen. The chef has been a part of the franchise since 2019. Speaking to the media, one of the network’s spokespersons said, “Network Ten and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef Australia family.”
Jock Zonfrillo- A Judge At MasterChef Australia, dies at age 46
According to reports, a wellness check at an Australian hotel on Lygon Street, one of Melbourne’s busiest streets, was done only to find 46-year-old Jock Zonfrillo’s lifeless body. The incident occurred around 2 am on Monday, just a few hours before MasterChef Australia season 15 was set to premiere.
The cause of Zonfrillo’s death has not been revealed yet. However, according to speculations, he might have had bowel cancer. There are also some speculations about his drug abuse, which he talked about in his memoir as well. His family shared this news with the world leaving Zonfrillo’s friends and fans in shock and sadness.
Related: Lauren McCluskey Cause of Death: Who Was Lauren McCuskey and How Did She Die?
Remembering the good times spent with him, his co-workers from MasterChef Australia and friends shared their feelings about losing their beloved. Jamie Oliver, a guest star on MasterChef Australia Season 15, shared a picture on social media from the set of MasterChef, expressing his grief and sending prayers to the deceased’s family.
His sudden death has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him, and is survived by his wife, Lauren Fried and four kids.
Related: The Upshaws Season 4 Update: Netflix Announces Renewal
Jock Zonfrillo’s Early Life And Career
The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1976. He started working at a very young age. In the early stages of his career, he worked for Marco Pierre White, who he referred to as a father figure and someone who saved his life. He later moved to Australia and started his career at Restaurant Forty One as a head chef in Sydney.
Related: John Wick Spinoff Ballerina Has a Summer 2024 Release Date
He entered the culinary business in 2013 when he opened a restaurant named Orana in Adelaide. It was announced in 2019 that Zonfrillo would be a part of MasterChef Australia after making guest appearances in 2 seasons, and in 2020 he became a judge on season 10. Jock Zonfrillo has also published a memoir in which he talked about many things, such as his journey, drug addiction, and kitchen chaos.
What Is The New MasterChef Australia Season 15 Release Date?
Due to the unfortunate event that took place a day before the original release date of the season, Channel Ten has postponed the show’s release. Moreover, no new date has been announced yet. MasterChef Australia season 15 was set to premiere with its first episode of the latest season on prime time at 7:30 pm, but Channel Ten aired some other show at that time.
