Mark and Shauna Froydenlund to step down as joint chef patrons of Marcus

Mark and Shauna Froydenlund are to step down as joint chef patrons of the Michelin-starred Marcus restaurant within London’s Berkeley hotel after five years.

The husband and wife team will leave on 29 January to return to Northern Ireland to raise their family and take over a family restaurant, while looking for a space of their own.

The Froydenlunds were made joint chef patrons and partners in the business in 2017 after working for Marcus Wareing Restaurants for more than 10 years.

A post on the Marcus restaurant’s social media channels said: “It’s time to say goodbye to Mark and Shauna Froydenlund. After a five-year partnership as chef patrons, they are moving onto greener pastures, returning to Northern Ireland to raise their family and take over a family restaurant, whilst looking for a space of their own.

"Both Mark and Shauna joined the restaurant when it was still Petrus, in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Over the last 15 years, they have become an integral part of the Marcus Wareing family, culminating in a hugely successful chef-patron partnership in 2017. Along the way, they collected a shelf of trophies and awards, represented the restaurant on Great British Menu and continued to pioneer the very best in British fine dining.

“We will miss them dearly, but Mark and Shauna’s legacy will remain in the fantastic team they have nurtured over their time in our kitchen."

The post added that the "next generation of chefs", led by head chef and 2017 MasterChef: The Professionals winner Craig Johnston and senior sous chef, Jack Hazell, would take the restaurant into 2022 and beyond.

The restaurant said the couple would “always be a part of the Marcus Wareing family” and encouraged people to follow their Instagram page @thefroydenlunds to keep up to date on their new venture.