MILLIONS of viewers watched Woolacombe man Russell Clement and his partner, Michele English, take victory in the final of BBC2's The Restaurant in November last year.

Their prize was the chance to open a restaurant with top chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc.

And now their dream is set to become a reality in June, when the doors of their new restaurant in Buckinghamshire will finally open.

The Cheerful Soul at the Hare and Hounds, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, will open in mid-June.

The story began for Michele and Russell when they entered and won a coveted place as one of nine couples competing in the second series of BBC Two's The Restaurant .

After trials, tribulations and a very tense train journey catering for passengers on the Orient-Express, they triumphed, winning the opportunity of a lifetime, to open their very own restaurant in partnership with legendary chef Raymond Blanc.

Mr Blanc said: "I chose Michele and Russell as my winners because they worked together as the most outstanding team, they had the best and most consistent skills as a chef and front of house partnership and their restaurant regularly made a profit.

"Their enthusiasm is fantastic, their dreams marvellous, and their passion exciting — and that is a real compliment from a Frenchman.

"Our task over the last few months has been to combine their raw talent with the training, knowledge and good business practices needed to succeed in running a restaurant."

Since winning in November, Michele and Russell have been training with the teams behind the Brasserie Blanc restaurants, and learning the foundations of successful business, from food costing and accounting to staff recruitment and legal duties.

The Hare and Hounds is a traditional 17th century country pub and restaurant on the Henley Road, within walking distance of Marlow town centre — an idyllic and historic town on the River Thames.

The Cheerful Soul in the Hare and Hounds will be a 60-70 cover restaurant, initially open for lunch and dinner, five and a half days a week.

Michele said: "The Hare and Hounds has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and feels like the perfect home for The Cheerful Soul.

"We have five weeks before opening to craft the restaurant and inject our personality into every detail."

Russell added: "Marlow, in the heart of the country, is perfectly located to allow us access to some of the best quality local producers Britain has to offer.

"Our British brasserie style menu will change bi-monthly to follow the seasons.

"I'm really looking forward to exploring the possibilities of the local produce. On the menu we will be rediscovering some forgotten recipes alongside firm favourites.

"Dishes on the opening menu include Pressed Ham Terrine with Cauliflower Piccalilli and Devonshire Scone Panperdy with Strawberries and Clotted Cream."

Russell will be joined by a team of four in the kitchen, while Michele will run the front of house with another five locally recruited staff.

Raymond added: "Russell and Michele have worked very hard over the past few months to transform their dream of running their own restaurant into a reality and for that I have a tremendous amount of respect.

"I would say to anyone, follow your heart with passion and a lot of hard work, and you never know what might happen."