Maggie Beer’s heartbreak at the death of Jock Zonfrillo at the age of 46 – after her own daughter died unexpectedly at the same age under mysterious circumstances
Maggie Beer has paid tribute to the late Jock Zonfrillo.
The celebrity chef, 78, said she is “terribly shocked” to learn of the 46-year-old’s passing, after tragically losing her daughter at the same age.
Beer shared a photo of Zonfrillo in his chef uniform on Instagram on Thursday and captioned it with kind words.
“So terribly shocked and so saddened by Jock’s passing,” she began.
‘A truly unique creative chef with a big heart and big ideas will be so missed by many. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Maggie.’
Maggie Beer (center of picture) has paid tribute to the late Jock Zonfrillo
The MasterChef star, 46, was found dead by police at Zagame’s House hotel in Melbourne at around 2am last Monday.
It is believed he died of natural causes and nothing unusual or suspicious was discovered in the hotel room where he was found dead, Daily Mail Australia understands.
Maggie Beer’s daughter, Saskia, also died unexpectedly in February 2020 at the age of 46.
The celebrity chef, 78, said she is ‘terribly shocked’ to learn of the 46-year-old’s passing, after tragically losing her daughter at the same age
Maggie Beer’s daughter, Saskia, also died unexpectedly in February 2020 at the age of 46
Speak against Women’s magazine in November 2020, the chef said she was heartbroken but was doing everything she could to support Saskia’s husband Colin and their three children Max, Lily and Rory.
‘I don’t know if you can handle it. You find things to do, to keep you busy. I don’t know if anyone can really handle it,” she told the publication at the time.
“Your life has changed forever and this year has been the worst of my life. But you have to convert your trauma into new things.’
While Daily Mail Australia understands that Zonfrillo died of natural causes, the coroner will now determine the celebrity chef’s specific cause of death.
While Daily Mail Australia understands that Zonfrillo died of natural causes, the coroner will now determine the celebrity chef’s specific cause of death
Channel 10 has postponed the launch of its 15th series of MasterChef Australia after learning of the judge’s death, announcing on Wednesday that it will premiere on Sunday, with the full support of the chef’s grieving family.
There were mixed opinions from fans on whether or not the season should continue, with some praising the network while others saying it will be a tough wait.
“This is going to be so hard to watch, but I will. His family will be in my thoughts,” one viewer wrote on Instagram.
Channel 10 has postponed the launch of its 15th series of MasterChef Australia after learning of the judge’s death, announcing on Wednesday that it will premiere on Sunday, with the full support of the chef’s grieving family.
“While it will be sad knowing this is the last we’ll see of Jock, it will be a great honor to see him out in his final work on TV,” said another.
Production on the 62-episode season wrapped up last month at MasterChef’s Melbourne headquarters in Flemington.
The new season reportedly cost “millions” to make, and producers are now looking to make a special “tribute” episode to Zonfrillo before confirming his replacement.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: adult daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried.
Zonfrillo is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried (pictured), and his four children
