Kenny Atkinson (chef)
Kenny Atkinson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Michelin-starred restaurants, appearances on BBC's Great British Menu |
Kenny Atkinson (born December 1976) is a distinguished English chef recognized for securing Michelin stars at St Martin's on the Isle and at Kenny Atkinson within the White Room at Seaham Hall. He has been featured on the BBC's Great British Menu, reaching the final banquet round twice, and earned the title of Chef of the Year at the 2009 The Catey Awards. In 2015, he was awarded a Michelin star for his own establishment, House of Tides, located in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Biography
Born in December 1976 in Newcastle upon Tyne, just north of St James' Park, Atkinson was raised by his mother following his parents' separation. He entered the workforce at the age of fourteen and departed formal education at sixteen, having achieved six GCSE qualifications. His culinary career began with dishwashing duties at his uncle’s Ravensdene Lodge Hotel, complemented by completing National Vocational Qualification levels one and two in catering at Newcastle-upon-Tyne College. After gaining experience in multiple Newcastle restaurants and spending five months as a chef in Crete, he relocated to the Midlands alongside Steve Waites. During annual leave, he volunteered without pay under Simon Radley at Chester Grosvenor and Spa. Acting on Radley’s recommendation, Atkinson moved to London’s Mandarin Oriental hotel before accepting his initial head chef position at the Greenway Hotel in Cheltenham, where he earned three AA Rosettes but did not secure a Michelin star.
Pursuing further advancement, he took charge of St Martin's on the Isle in the Scilly Isles, achieving his inaugural Michelin star—a notable accomplishment given the restaurant’s isolated setting. This milestone paved the way for him to become head chef at the White Room within Seaham Hall, County Durham, where he again attained a Michelin star. In 2009, Atkinson competed on BBC Two's Great British Menu, triumphing in his heat despite limited preparation time; his starter dish was showcased at the banquet. He also appeared on Saturday Kitchen and received the Chef of the Year accolade at The Catey Awards.
Returning to Great British Menu in the subsequent year, Atkinson secured victory once more with a fish course influenced by regional produce. This exposure facilitated his appointment as Food Director overseeing three restaurants at Rockcliffe Hall, County Durham. He departed this role in 2013 to concentrate on establishing his own restaurant in Northeast England while making guest appearances at other venues, including Tom Kerridge’s The Hand and Flowers.
In 2014, Atkinson inaugurated House of Tides within a Grade I listed 16th-century merchant’s house situated on Newcastle’s quayside. The restaurant earned a Michelin star within eighteen months and was ranked fourth in the 2021 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 UK restaurants.
In 2022, Atkinson and his partner Abbie launched Solstice by Kenny Atkinson, a fine dining establishment near House of Tides. After just eight months of operation, it was awarded a Michelin star in March 2023—marking Newcastle’s first occasion with multiple Michelin-starred restaurants.