Marco Pierre White pays tribute to Jock Zonfrillo

Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White has paid tribute to the late Jock Zonfrillo after receiving criticism online for his silence.

The 46-year-old MasterChef star was found dead in a Melbourne hotel on Sunday.

He previously credited British chef White for saving his life, after giving him a job and shelter when he was homeless heroin addict in London in the 1990s.

Tributes began pouring in for the Scottish chef when news of his death broke on Monday, but Marco kept a deafening silence and chose to post a photo with his son Luciano in Bangkok the day after Zonfrillo’s death was announced.

On Wednesday, two days after the chef passed away, Marco posted a tribute on his Instagram page.

He shared a photo of him and Jock in their chef uniforms with the caption, “RIP my love and my condolences to the family. MPW x’.

Despite criticism, the post of Pierre White and his son in Bangkok remains on his page.

Before posting his tribute to Jock, one user commented on the photo, “I’m shocked! This is as insensitive as it gets. What bad timing to post this!’

While another said ‘Where’s the comment about losing Jock’.

The Scottish chef began working with White in the UK in 1994 when he landed a role in his kitchen.

He was suffering from a heroin addiction at the time and he claimed in his memoir Last Shot that he told his boss about this addiction and his homelessness.

In his memoir, Zonfrillo said, “He didn’t fire me. Instead, he picked up the phone, called the hostel and asked them to quickly put me on the waiting list and find me a bed.

In the meantime, he hooked me up with some guys from Canteen, the other restaurant he owned, and made sure I could sleep on the couch until I got my act together. He even offered me some money to save me.’

However, White said that “almost everything” he wrote about him was untrue and that the couple actually had very little to do with each other, despite the Briton being mentioned 157 times in the book.

‘I’ve never seen much [Zonfrillo]and he only worked in my kitchen for a very short time,” he said Good weekend.

Jock is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and Alfie and Isla, with Mrs. Fried.

His death comes as the fifteenth season of MasterChef, starring Jamie Oliver as a guest judge, was set to premiere Monday night.

However, it was postponed due to his death and Channel 10 announced on Wednesday that it will air this Sunday, May 6 at 7.30pm, with the permission of his family.

The statement read: ‘With the full support of Jock Zonfrillo’s family, MasterChef Australia will air on Sunday 7th May at 7.30pm.

MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo took pride in challenging and coaching the contestants and of course inspiring a nation of home cooks.

“It is with Jock in our hearts that we cherish this season and remember the charismatic and big-hearted judge and chef we knew and loved.

‘Jock will be remembered in the MasterChef Australia kitchen for years to come.’

Jamie Oliver paid tribute to the judge when he shared a photo of them together online.

He wrote, “In utter shock to learn of Chef Jock Zonfrillo’s sudden death. Had the best time working with him for this year’s MasterChef Australia. Jock was very generous with his time and spirit on the show and will be missed so much. Sending heartfelt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and the MasterChef team and contestants’.

Gordan Ramsay tweeted Monday: “Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo’s passing. I really enjoyed the time we spent together at MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family at this difficult time Gx’.