THE SQUIZ
That sound you could hear at about 2pm yesterday was a national gasp as news broke online that celebrity chef and host of Masterchef Australia died suddenly in Melbourne on Sunday at 46yo. The cause has not been confirmed. “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,” his family said in a statement yesterday. Zonfrillo is survived by his 3rd wife Lauren and 4 children, including 5yo Alfie and 2yo Isla.

WHO WAS HE AGAIN?
The Glaswegian was born Barry Zonfrillo to an Italian father and a Scottish mother. He said the mix of cultures fuelled his love of food, and after quitting school at 15yo, he started his chef’s apprenticeship. By the time he was 17yo, Zonfrillo was working for renowned chef Marco Pierre-White in London before moving to Oz in 2000. In his 2019 memoir Last Shot, Zonfrillo claimed his former boss had “saved his life” as he struggled with heroin addiction and homelessness – and other recollections were questioned in a viral Good Weekend article in 2021. In 2020, he became one of the 3 new judges of Masterchef Australia alongside Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, and his Scottish humour and penchant for 3-piece suits earned him a solid fanbase, including a very-pregnant Katy Perry… That role made him a star even though he had other big ventures, including the award-winning Restaurant Orana in Adelaide (which shut in 2020) and its foundation that focused on promoting Indigenous ingredients.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE MASTERCHEF LAUNCH?
Good question because the new season was scheduled to kick off last night, and the PR for it was in full swing… Ten said in a statement that it was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the news and that Masterchef would be pulled from broadcast this week. It’s uncertain when the latest season will be aired, but reports this morning say it’s likely to kick off next week. “Jock’s charisma, wicked sense of humour, generosity, passion and love for food and his family cannot be measured,” Ten said. And good mate Jimmy Barnes led the tributes from friends and fans, tweeting that Zonfrillo “was like a brother to me”.