Eponymous Notting Hill Favourite Closes Following Departure of Founder

Marianne in Notting Hill has closed, following the departure of founder and head chef Marianne Lumb.

Richard Vines shared the news on Twitter this afternoon in the run-up to today’s (1 October) Michelin guide announcement; the restaurant’s website is currently offline and the Google listing states that the restaurant is permanently closed. Lumb opened Marianne in 2014 with only 14 seats, and told Eater London that its diminutive size was a reason for her departure:

“Well... honestly, I want a bigger place? The amount of times I’ve had to turn away amazing people — [including the] Foo Fighters — and mates because we’ve been so small... ! I’ve just grown out of it... but I do hope to have a triumphant return at some stage!”

It was understood in June that Lumb’s deputy, Miles Strotton, would continue to run the restaurant, though the name of the restaurant would remain the same.

Lumb was a finalist on the 2009 season of Masterchef: The Professionals; she is currently a finalist on the BBC’s Great British Menu. She told Eater London that she was unable to comment, since she departed the business before its closure. The current owners did not immediately return a request for comment.

More soon.