Chef Kenny Atkinson quick to show star quality at Seaham Hall

Jan 20 2009 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A CHEF has spoken of his delight at keeping the North East’s only Michelin – just months after starting work there.

Kenny Atkinson, 32, began as chef at the White Room at Seaham Hall hotel in County Durham, in August last year.

In the three months that followed, the Michelin inspectors came to the restaurant to see if the food hit the standards required.

And the restaurant’s staff have now learned their efforts were enough to earn the star for a second successive year.

The inspectors place huge importance on the use of local produce, as well as the combinations of flavours in the dishes and originality.

Kenny, who was awarded a Michelin star when he worked at St Martins Hotel on the Isles of Scilly, said: “I’m delighted – I was born and bred in Newcastle. The only other person to do it was Terry (Laybourne).

“I started in August and the other chef left in February so it was an uphill battle to get the team built up.

“We have definitely got a good team – we have people in the kitchen who are doing a great job.

“But we are trying to go from strength to strength and we are really trying to build on that momentum.”

The restaurant, which sources most of its ingredients locally, first won the Michelin star last year when Steve Smith was the chef.

Kenny said he was proud to have built on the restaurant’s reputation.

He said: “It’s very hard to know what they’re looking for.

“We’re sourcing as much as we can from the North East and we have our own style.

“It’s important to have your own character and not copy what everyone else is doing.

Meanwhile Food and beverage manager Mike Beveridge paid tribute to Kenny and the restaurant’s team.

He said: “We are the only Michelin starred restaurant in the North East and Kenny Atkinson has regained that star for us.

“We had one with our last chef but whoever comes in has to regain it.

“Kenny arrived in August last year and has managed to get everything up to speed really quickly.

“We are all delighted about it. He had a star at his previous restaurant as well.

“Everyone is cock-a-hoop and we are going to take them all out.

“The chefs and front-of-house staff work so hard.”

He revealed they would love to get the second star, which involves raising the standards of service and paying enormous attention to detail.

Mr Beveridge said: “It comes right down to what type of linen and cutlery you are using.

“It’s something we will look at – we just want to keep improving.”

Cumbria treats

TWO restaurants in Cumbria were among the others to be awarded the Michelin star.

The first was Sharrow Bay Country House, on Lake Ullswater, which has an internationally recognised kitchen led by Colin Akrigg.

The other was Holbeck Ghyll, a country house hotel and restaurant, which boasts views over Windermere.