Masterchef judge's gastropub shuts after local boycott

Masterchef judge Marco Pierre White has sold one of his English pubs amid claims of a staff walkout and a boycott by local diners.

The lease to the Pear Tree in Whitley has been sold after staff were allegedly driven away by the chef's bossy management.

White's gastropub has also struggled to attract a crowd in the country village, with locals unhappy their favourites were replaced with far more expensive menu items.

Punters were also unhappy with the lack of service at the pub, local councillor Terry Chivers told the Gazette and Herald.

"I don’t think Marco will be missed in the slightest around here," Cr Chivers said.

"He was pig-headed about the whole thing, from the start, he took off all the beers that the locals drank.

"There was such a massive turnover of staff and when you went into the pub you’d never find anyone at the bar to serve you."

Despite being the youngest chef to earn three Michelin stars, even the more expensive meals at White's pub have been getting bad reviews.

Locals were also unhappy the traditional beers and ales at the pub were replaced with an expensive wine list, with just one lager on the menu.

A guest judge on Masterchef Australia, White became a principal judge on Masterchef's The Professionals series in 2013.