The couple behind a popular ‘French bistro-style' restaurant have opened their second site in Wiltshire after huge success.

The Funghi Club, set up by former chef for the Royal Family Laurent Lebeau and his partner Janie, opened in Marlborough at 10am on Thursday, November 2.

Based in Hughenden Yard, The Funghi Club is open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Sunday, and serves “mostly French-inspired dishes, but we pinch a few super yum dishes from other cuisines every now and then,” according to the owners.

The idea for the restaurant first began in Hungerford in 2019, when ambitious couple Laurent and Janie Lebeau started a mushroom stall at food markets, selling a hot Funghi bun.

Laurent had previously studied for three years at the prestigious Lycée Hotelier, and been a previous head chef at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. He has catered for former Prime Ministers, celebrities, and the Royal Family, just to name a few.

But Laurent said he is also crazy about mushrooms, and that is how the restaurant gained its name.

“We try to include mushrooms where we can and you'll see lots more of these as the season gets going in the Autumn,” he said.

When the global pandemic hit, Laurent and Janie were forced to turn the mushroom food stall into a range of French-inspired chilled dishes ready for ‘heat and eat’ delivery in lockdown.

It wasn’t until the lockdown ended that the couple were then able to open a catering service in Hungerford High Street, which they later added a bistro to.

Speaking about their new Marlborough restaurant, owners Laurent and Janie said: “The Funghi Club, Marlborough will have everything the Hungerford shop has including a range of delicious heat and eat dishes, seafood, charcuterie, fromages, foodie gifts, pâtisserie, fresh bread and champagnes and wines.

“The menus have been specially curated by Laurent, using his many years of experience. Specialties will include souffles, gratins, charcuterie, cheeses and pâtisserie.”

Laurent Lebeau added: “Janie and I are very excited about the next stage in the development of The Funghi Club, we have made great strides since we started out with our mushroom stall.

“The space we have acquired in Marlborough is the perfect setting for The Funghi Club, it is spacious both inside and out and we can’t wait to welcome customers old and new. 

“We are particularly excited about the ‘salon prive’, it is a versatile space that can be used for everything from hosting business meetings, watching sport with friends, to private dinners and cocktail and canpes parties."