Jock Zonfrillo is a renowned Australian chef and television personality, known for his culinary expertise and passion for indigenous Australian cuisine. Born on August 19, 1976, in Glasgow, Scotland, Zonfrillo moved to Australia in 2000 and has since become one of the most prominent chefs in the country.
Zonfrillo’s passion for food started at a young age when he began cooking with his Italian grandparents. He started his culinary career in his hometown of Glasgow, where he trained at the prestigious Glasgow College of Food Technology. After graduating, he worked in several top restaurants in the UK, including Marco Pierre White’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The Oak Room.
In 2000, Zonfrillo moved to Australia to take up a role at Restaurant 41 in Melbourne. He then moved to Sydney to work at the acclaimed restaurant, Forty One. He subsequently opened his own restaurant, Bistro Thierry, in Melbourne.
Zonfrillo’s breakthrough came in 2011 when he opened his acclaimed restaurant, Orana, in Adelaide. Orana quickly gained a reputation as one of Australia’s best restaurants, serving contemporary Australian cuisine with a focus on indigenous ingredients. In 2018, Orana was named Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller, cementing Zonfrillo’s status as one of Australia’s top chefs.
Zonfrillo’s passion for indigenous Australian cuisine began when he discovered the rich culinary traditions of the country’s indigenous peoples. He was particularly interested in the use of native ingredients, many of which were previously unknown to him. He spent years researching and experimenting with these ingredients, eventually developing his own unique style of cooking.
Zonfrillo has been a vocal advocate for the recognition and celebration of indigenous Australian cuisine. He has worked closely with indigenous communities and chefs to promote their culinary traditions and has used his platform to raise awareness of indigenous issues.
Zonfrillo’s profile increased further when he became a judge on the Australian version of MasterChef in 2018. He was praised for his honest and constructive feedback to contestants, and his expertise in indigenous ingredients was highlighted on several occasions.
Zonfrillo has also hosted several television shows, including Nomad Chef and Restaurant Revolution, and has made numerous guest appearances on cooking shows and talk shows.
Zonfrillo is married to Lauren Fried, with whom he has three children. He is also a keen surfer and has cited surfing as a way to relax and clear his mind.
Zonfrillo died in Melbourne, Australia on 30 April 2023, at the age of 46. There was no immediate confirmation of his cause of death, but the police were not treating the death as suspicious and are preparing a report for the coroner.
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