Jock Zonfrillo‘s wife, Lauren Fried, has spoken for the first time following the shock death of her MasterChef Australia judge husband in May.
The 46-year-old was found dead in a Melbourne hotel room in the early hours of May 1, just hours before the latest season of MasterChef was set to air.
Now, his wife has taken to the beloved chef’s Instagram account to speak candidly about how the past month has affected her.
“It’s been a month now since we lost Jock and I put a line in the sand thinking that at the one-month mark, I would turn some sort of a corner,” Lauren said in a video posted on June 4.
“Obviously that hasn’t happened.”
She continued: “There’s no time that I could allocate to say thank you to everyone. I just am overwhelmed by the messages that came in from people all over the world who knew him or didn’t know him.
“I wish he knew how loved he was and he knew the impact that he had on so many people.”
Lauren Fried asks Jock Zonfrillo’s followers for opinions on the future of his social media
Lauren, who shares children Alfie, six and Isla, two, with Jock, then asked his fans whether she should continue to share his projects on his social media, or shut it down.
“Jock and I worked really hard on his social media and so I have to try to make a decision whether we keep it going or not,” she said.
“He had lots of projects he was working on… A lot that he had finished. I just don’t know what’s appropriate or what you guys want to see on here.
Lauren added: “So, you know, he’s got a lot of behind-the-scenes interviews and photos from MasterChef, he’s got books, a fashion range, he’s got spirits ageing in a distillery in Tassie.”
She also revealed that their family, which includes Jock’s daughters Ava and Sophia from two previous marriages, filmed a TV show in Italy “last year”, that’s yet to be shared with the world.
“I kind of am pondering what is appropriate or not,” Lauren confessed. “If I don’t really know what’s right I’ll put a poll up on here and you guys can tell me yes or no.
“And somehow we’ll work out if there’s a path forward here or if we don’t do anything at all.”
Jock Zonfrillo’s followers share support
Flocking to the comment section, countless fans and friends said they would support the Zonfrillo family, no matter their decision.
“Loz lovely, follow your heart,” MasterChef 2022 contestant Keyma Vasquez Montero wrote.
“Anything you decide will be supported by his friends, family and fans.”
Celebrity MasterChef star Collette Dinnigan said there was “no rush” to share Jock’s projects.
“Love you and know that when it feels right for you it’s right… You all have so many projects you worked on together,” she penned. “There is no rush don’t feel a need to do anything except to take care of yourself and family.”
Jock’s co-star and close friend Andy Allen also commented: “Love Jock, love you and love the family.”
The Glasgow-born chef was farewelled at a private funeral on May 13 in Sydney.
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