In the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, the widow of renowned chef Jock Zonfrillo is being showered with praise for bravely carrying on a cherished Christmas tradition for her family.
Zonfrillo left behind not only a culinary legacy but also a tight-knit family that held a special tradition close to their hearts during the festive season. Despite the challenges that the Zonfrillo family has faced, Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren, has emerged as a beacon of strength, determined to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in her home.
The tradition, known as “Fake Christmas” has been a staple in the Zonfrilo household since the couple first met.
“Each year our fam does Fake Christmas at the end of November, a tradition we started the first year Jock and I met. The cover photo is from last year,” she wrote.
“We put up the tree. We have a full British Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. We issue the matching family PJs for the year.
“This year we continued our tradition.
“I can’t work out how the f@*king tree lights work. I had to cook. We wore the same PJs as last year.
“Sometimes good is enough.”
Social media has been abuzz with messages of support and admiration for Lauren’s resilience and commitment to preserving a tradition that means so much to her family.
Fans and followers have commended her for turning what could have been a sombre time into a celebration of life, love, and the enduring power of family bonds.
“You’re doing an amazing job,” one fan wrote.
“Sending you love and comfort.”
“You’re doing great, these are the things that make memories,” commented another.
“Always enough and this is something the kids I’m sure will treasure! Go you mama.”
“You are doing fabulously!! Tough times xxx.”
Lauren has made an effort to remain open and honest about her journey with her grief, often taking to social media to share her experience with her followers as she navigates life without her husband.
She recently reflected on her late husband’s absence as the family celebrated their daughter’s birthday.
Taking to Instagram, Lauren shared a series of photos from the special day while sharing how difficult occasions such as these are without her husband by her side.
“We had Isla’s first birthday party without her Papa,” she wrote.
“Jock would have been up all night the day before, the first one out of bed in the morning. Menu planning for weeks. Then I would have fallen asleep on Jock’s chest after the party, talking through how it went, if Isla had a good time, did people eat and drink enough, would she remember any of it.
“This year I did a BBQ and the rest of the food was outsourced to my sister and Mark. @avazonfrillo blew up the balloons. Uber delivered the cake. I cried as I dressed the kids. I fell asleep without Jock.
“This exact day last year we were flying back from Rome, having started the plan for our new life together in Italy. A dream that never came to be.
“For Jock to miss these days seems unfair and unbearable, and another of the firsts we are pushing through as a family. But our little ones are finding joy again, they are being the happy and cheeky children they always were, and I’m grateful that life keeps dragging us forward day by day. lz.”