Chef Kenny Atkinson battles on in TV contest

Jun 1 2010 by Richard Fletcher, The Journal

EVERY day this week, TV viewers can watch celebrated chef Kenny Atkinson representing the North East against fierce competition.

He will be going head to head with the best chefs from each region of the country after getting through to the national finals in the Great British Menu competition.

The winner of the programme, on BBC2, wins the honour of cooking for HRH The Prince of Wales.

Kenny, who recently opened Kenny Atkinson at The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall hotel in County Durham, will represent the North East after beating two other local chefs.

The judges loved his menu, which consisted of a rabbit and ham hock starter, a mackerel fish dish, roe deer for mains and a strawberry jelly crumble for pudding.

Michelin-star chef Kenny said: “The whole idea behind the show was that we had to source produce from in and around National Trust properties in our respective regions.

“I was lucky to be handed the Wallington Estate in Northumberland, and it offered such vibrancy and variety of produce, and that’s what really inspired the dishes I created. What I have created, really, is the very best North East produce, and I hope viewers see that we are incredibly lucky up here to live in such a fantastic area for top quality, locally-sourced produce.