Lauren Zonfrillo, widow of late MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo, has announced she has written a book about her tragic loss.
In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, the brave widow thanked her followers and described the celebrity chef’s sudden passing last year as a “catastrophe.”
Jock, who tragically died on April 30, 2023, was found unconscious in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD.
“The children and I have been surrounded by so much care, so many people felt the loss of Jock,” she said in the Instagram video.
‘It has been very difficult for me to explain how we went from absolute catastrophe to the new version of our life, which despite everything, is quite bright and optimistic.
“So I wrote my book, which is (about) my journey through grief,” she wrote alongside the cover of Till Death Do Us Part, which shows her sharing a passionate kiss with Jock.
Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren (pictured) has announced she has written a book about his tragic loss.
“So I wrote my book, which is (about) my journey through grief,” she wrote alongside the cover of Till Death Do Us Part, which shows her sharing a passionate kiss with Jock. in the photo
He also explained what the writing of the book was like.
‘I reread diaries from some very dark and broken places and, to be honest, I probably undid a bit of my progress.
‘But it made me think more deeply about some really complex parts of grief and that’s why I wrote about my spirituality and my connection to Jock now.
Lauren also shared heartbreaking details as she dealt with Jock’s death.
‘I write about… the physical response to trauma that has impacted my memory, my mind and my body…
“I had three- and five-year-olds who needed normal levels of parenting, which at that age is quite a bit,” she continued.
‘And they needed extra care and nurturing having to live with pain in their life.
‘And that was at a time when I didn’t even change my clothes or do my hair and it was all so overwhelming and lonely.
Lauren said writing the book took her to “dark places”
She also shared that her family is now feeling optimistic after losing Jock almost two years ago. Pictured: Lauren with the children she shares with Jock, Alfie, seven, and Isla, three.
“But by building a bigger life I was able to make the pain a smaller percentage and create space for happiness and that’s who we are now.”
In a caption she included in the post, she said she hoped the book would help those experiencing loss.
‘I’m not a psychologist; I’m not even a writer. But I have written a book, Until Death Do Us Part. she posted.
‘This is a book about my lived experience during a traumatic loss, the kind of support I sought in the shadows of pain and nostalgia for a life that no longer existed.
And for those who are going through loss, I am writing this book so that your hands can land on it when you search in the darkness for something, anything, that can bring you stability. Loz’
Lauren’s brave revelation inspired many followers to post messages of support in the comments.
‘What a beautiful and generous thing to do. Somewhere, someone has a wound in the form of your words,” said one fan.
Another added: “Incredibly strong and resilient Loz can’t wait to read it.”
‘So much admiration for you Loz,’ another user shared.
Fans, friends and family were devastated when news broke of Jock’s sudden death in 2023.
Lauren and the rest of the family were on holiday in Italy when Jock’s sudden death occurred.
Alarmed when he stopped responding to her calls, Lauren contacted Victoria Police, leading to the devastating discovery.
In the months following Jock’s death, Lauren took over her Instagram account and used it as a platform to continue his legacy as she shared her journey through the grief and challenges of being a single parent.
Jock was found dead at Zagame’s House hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD, about 2am on April 30 last year.
He is survived by his wife Lauren, his two children Alfie, seven, and Isla, three, as well as his two adult daughters, Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages.
Until Death Do Us Part, Life Without Jock and Learning to Live with Intention by Lauren Zonfrillo will be published by Penguin on May 6, 2025.