Lauren Zonfrillo has marked what would have been the 50th birthday of her late husband, MasterChef Australia star Jock Zonfrillo, with a throwback photo and an emotional tribute on social media on Tuesday. The photo showed the couple beaming on a camping trip in front of their four-wheel drive at a scenic nature spot, with Lauren wrapping her arms around him.
In her caption, Lauren wrote: "On what would have been your 50th, Happy Birthday my love. Our little family is eating lunch in the exact restaurant you would have chosen. Tears, plenty of laughter, and so many stories of Papa. Life will never be as it should have been, but we're forging a new one, and it too is wonderful. Loz x."
Jock's former MasterChef Australia co-star Andy Allen responded in the comments section to offer support. "Sending so much love to you and the kids," Allen wrote.
Police welfare check in Melbourne
Jock was found dead in his Melbourne hotel room at about 2 a.m. on May 1, 2023, after police were called to conduct a welfare check on the 46-year-old Scottish-born chef.
Lauren spoke publicly about his death for the first time in May last year during an interview with Liz Hayes on Seven's Spotlight program. She described the moment police contacted her in Italy, where she had recently relocated with their two children, Alfie and Isla. Recalling that phone call, Lauren said, "I was hysterical."
When asked about Jock's cause of death, which has never been revealed, Lauren explained why she maintains privacy around the topic. "A lot of people want to know the answer to that, I'm really aware of that. I've had a lot of experiences with people coming up to me, all strangers, and asking how Jock died. It's very unsettling," she said. She added, "Jock was very open in what he was willing to talk about. And I don't want to make those decisions."
Funeral service and upcoming projects
A fortnight after his death, Lauren led approximately 200 mourners at a funeral service held at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium in North Ryde. Lauren delivered a eulogy, and Jock's friend Jimmy Barnes performed Amazing Grace alongside his daughter Mahalia.
Celebrity chefs in attendance included George Calombaris, Matt Moran, Colin Fassnidge, Manu Feildel, Shannon Bennett, and Jock's co-stars Andy Allen and Melissa Leong.
Prior to his death, Jock was preparing for the launch of the 15th season of MasterChef Australia, which was scheduled to premiere on the night his body was found. He was also working on a cookbook and was in the early stages of planning a new restaurant.
