Barry Zonfrillo, also known as “Jock”, is a Scottish chef, television presenter and restaurateur. He is the founder of the Orana Foundation and a judge on MasterChef Australia.
File
- Full Name: Barry Zonfrillo
- Stage Name: Jock Zonfrillo
- Date of birth: August 4, 1976
- Age: 46 years old.
- Place of birth: Glasgow, UK
- Nationality: Scottish
- Occupation: Chef, TV presenter and restaurateur
- Height: 1.75m
- Parents: Ivan Zonfrillo and Sarah Zonfrillo
- Siblings: Carla Zonfrillo
- Spouse: Lauren Fried
- Children: Alfie Zonfrillo and Isla Zonfrillo
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life
Zonfrillo, whose real name is Barry, was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1976 and grew up in the coastal town of Ayr. His upbringing was influenced by his father, Ivan, a barber, and his mother, Sarah, a hairdresser.
His mother’s side of the family is Scottish, while his father’s is of Italian descent. He also has an older sister named Carla.
Education
Jock Zonfrillo’s formal education was cut short. Although he attended Belmont Academy in Ayr, Scotland, he left school at the age of 15 to pursue a culinary apprenticeship at the Turnberry Hotel. This hands-on experience launched his successful career in the kitchen.
Career
Zonfrillo’s journey into the culinary world began when he was just 12 years old, working part-time as a dishwasher, sparking his love for the kitchen. He left school at 15 to begin an apprenticeship at the Turnberry Hotel, where he honed his culinary skills.
He then continued to hone his skills by working with renowned chefs such as Marco Pierre White before moving to Australia.
Zonfrillo’s early work experience in Australia at Sydney’s Restaurant 41 may have introduced him to Australian cuisine. His talent was quickly recognised, and by the age of 22 he was head chef at the Tresanton Hotel in Cornwall.
After returning to Australia, Zonfrillo established himself in Adelaide by opening a number of successful restaurants, including Bistro Blackwood, Nonna Mallozzi, Street ADL and the popular Orana Restaurant.
Jock Zonfrillo’s commitment to preserving Aboriginal Australian ingredients and cooking techniques extends beyond his role as a chef. In 2016, he founded the Orana Foundation with the mission of protecting culinary traditions, reflecting his strong commitment to cultural preservation.
Additionally, Zonfrillo’s culinary expertise landed him a judging spot on MasterChef Australia, further cementing his reputation in the food industry.
Overall, his career demonstrates his passion, skill and determination to celebrate Australia’s Indigenous culinary heritage, leaving a remarkable legacy of exceptional cuisine.
Awards and appointments
Scottish Young Chef of the Year (Early Career) World Basque Cuisine Awards (2018) AGFG Restaurant of the Year (Orana – 2018, 2019)
Social Media
- Instagram Name: @Zonfrillo
- Facebook Name: Jock Zonfrillo
- Twitter Username: None
Personal life
Jock Zonfrillo has been married three times and has children from each marriage. His first marriage was to Kelly in 1996, but they separated in 2002. He met his third wife, Lauren Fried, on Twitter in 2014 and they married in 2017.
They have a son born prematurely in 2018, a daughter born in 2020, and he also has two daughters from previous marriages.
Zonfrillo and his family moved to Melbourne, Australia around 2020 and shortly before his death in April 2023, they moved to Rome, Italy.
Net asset value
It is difficult to determine Jock Zonfrillo’s exact net worth as it has not been made public, but it is believed to be around $10 million.
This estimate is based on his lucrative earnings from his role on MasterChef Australia, where he is said to earn around $500,000 a year, as well as his successful ownership of multiple restaurants.
