Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren shares heartbreaking announcement following the MasterChef Australia star’s death

Lauren Zonfrillo, the 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 sudden passing of the famed celebrity chef last year as a ‘catastrophe’.

Jock, who tragically died on April 30, 2023, was found unresponsive in a hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD.

‘The kids and I have been surrounded by so much care, so many people felt the loss of Jock,’ she said in the Instagram video.

‘It’s been really hard for me to explain how we got from absolute catastrophe to the new version of our life, which despite it all, is quite bright and optimistic.

‘So I’ve written 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.

‘So I’ve written 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. Pictured 

She also explained how went about writing the book.

‘I re-read journals from some very dark and broken places and probably undid a bit of my progress to be honest.

‘But it did make me think deeper about some really complex parts of grief and so 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 which has impacted my memory and my mind and body…

‘I had our three and five year old’s who needed normal levels of parenting which at that age is quite a lot,’ she continued.

‘And they needed extra care and nurture having to live with grief in their life.

‘And that was at a time when I didn’t even change my clothes or was h 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 now are feeling optimistic after losing Jock nearly 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 grief a smaller percentage of that and create a space for happiness and that’s we are now.’

In a caption she included in the post she said she hoped the book would help those going through loss.  

‘I am no psychologist — I am not even a writer. But I have written a book, Till Death Do Us Part.’ she posted.

‘This is a book of my lived experience through traumatic loss, the kind of support that I was reaching out for in the shadows of grief, and being homesick for a life that didn’t exist anymore.

And for those going through loss, I am writing this book so that your hands can land on it when you are reaching out in the darkness for something, anything, that might give 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 out there, someone has a wound in the shape 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,’ shared another user.

Fans, friends and family were shattered as news broke of Jock’s sudden death in 2023.

Lauren and the rest of the family had been holidaying in Italy when Jock’s sudden death occurred.

Alarmed when he stopped answering her calls, Lauren contacted Victorian Police, leading to the devastating discovery.

In the months following Jock’s death, Lauren took over his Instagram account, using it as a platform to continue his legacy while sharing her journey through grief and the challenges of solo parenting.

Jock was found dead at the Zagame’s House hotel in Carlton, near Melbourne’s CBD, at about 2am on April 30 last year.

He is survived by wife Lauren, their two children Alfie, seven, and Isla, three, as well as his two adult daughters Ava and Sophia from his first two marriages. 

Till 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