“If you get to see yourself in someone else’s book it’s a bit of a gift and it is the mark of a good storyteller. I’m sure as you read this book you will see a bit of yourself too. This is a story of hope. A story of perseverance and resilience. A story of passion and love. A remarkable tale of a remarkable man who took the hard, hard road and made it his own.” – Jimmy Barnes

If you are a fan of the TV series Masterchef Australia then you will no doubt be eagerly awaiting the book by one of the judges Jock Zonfrillo.

This book hasmany shocking episodes and stories as we follow the chefs’ highs and lows but ultimately inspiring story despite his difficult past.

Zonfrillo grew up in Glasgow and as a teenager he tried heroin and from there his life wasa balancing act between working with legendary chefs whilst dealing with a drug addiction.

When he lost his job in the Michelin star restaurant in Chester, England he moved on to London and met the famous Marco Pierre White. While he says White saved his life he still struggled with the addiction.

On New Year’s Eve1999, Jock used heroin for the last time and moved to Sydney. This move would change his life. Although he still had challenges including two divorces and the closure of his prized restaurant, Orana, as a result of Covid-19.

The foreword is written by Jimmy Barnes.

This is an insightful look intothe world of someone we see on TV every day. You can’t help but be moved by the author’s passion for food and his family. Although this was a hard road, through perseverance he managed to come out in the light.

I enjoyed reading the book and found it hard to put down.