MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo has died in Melbourne aged 46.
"Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia are deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of Jock Zonfrillo, a beloved member of the MasterChef family," said a statement posted to MasterChef Australia's social media accounts on Monday afternoon.
"Jock was known to Australians as a chef, best-selling author, philanthropist and MasterChef judge but he will be best remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and son."
Victoria Police told the ABC that officers were called on to do a welfare check at an address in Carlton early on Monday morning, where they found the body of a 46-year-old man.
Police have not revealed a cause of death, but said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Born in Glasgow to an Italian father and a Scottish mother, Zonfrillo — who was born Barry Zonfrillo — moved to Australia at the age of 20.
In his autobiography, he detailed overcoming a heroin addiction formed in his teenage years, and credited cooking as playing a key role in turning his life around.
Zonfrillo operated renowned restaurants in Sydney and Adelaide over two decades, before becoming a judge on MasterChef in 2019.
Along with Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, he replaced the show's original hosts Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan, succeeding in bringing a more family-friendly atmosphere to the ratings juggernaut.
In addition to his success in entertainment, Zonfrillo was known for highlighting Australian native ingredients in his restaurants, sourcing ingredients from remote Aboriginal communities as a way to celebrate Indigenous culture.
"I describe it quite simply as Australian," he said in 2013.
"These are flavours you cannot get in Europe. You can't get them anywhere else in the world, they are totally unique to Australia, so why shouldn't we use them?"
Zonfrillo's family released a statement on Monday calling for privacy "as we find a way to navigate through this, and find space on the other side to celebrate our irreplaceable husband, father, brother, son and friend".
"With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday," they wrote.
"So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we're 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 Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky."
Celebrities, former contestants share their grief
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who worked with Zonfrillo on the upcoming season of MasterChef, was among those paying tribute to him on Monday, posting on Instagram that he was in "total shock" to wake up to the news.
"Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful," he wrote.
"Jock will be so very missed … I can't believe I'm writing this."
Singer Jimmy Barnes tweeted that Zonfrillo was "like a brother to me".
"We made each other laugh and cry … I am speechless," he said.
Former MasterChef contestants also recalled their time on the show and expressed their shock at the news.
"This is so shattering, I'm still in shock. Sending you all love," 2021 contestant Depinder Chhibber wrote on Instagram.
"I'm so shocked … rest in peace chef, my heart and condolences to loved ones," wrote 2020 finalist Reynold Poernomo.
MasterChef Australia was due to return for its 15th season on Monday night, however Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia have confirmed the show will not air this week.
Zonfrillo is survived by his wife Lauren and his four children.
