'Restaurant Revolution' Host’s Shock Past

Jock Zonfrillo. Courtesy of Seven

Jock Zonfrillo is gearing up to inspire and mentor aspiring cooks as they compete for a grand prize of $200,000 on Seven's Restaurant Revolution (premiering tonight at 7.30PM). But the Adelaide father-of-two has an inspiring story of his own.

Following a heroin habit which eventually sent him broke, Zonfrillo, who credits cooking for saving his life, cleaned up and relocated to Australia 15 years ago. "That period of my life was very difficult for me, growing up, and I'm proud of the fact that I have come through it relatively unscathed," the owner of Adelaide restaurants Orana and Street ADL tells WHO in the latest issue.

These days, the Scottish-born chef has his sights set on redefining Australian cuisine. The 38-year-old is already passing on his passion for using native ingredients to Restaurant Revolutions' contestants.

For more on Zonfrillo's story, pick up a copy of WHO, on sale now.