Kenny Atkinson collects Michelin stars for fun. Well, not quite, but his track record certainly makes it look that way. Today, he holds not one, but two, Michelin stars across two different restaurants in Newcastle, which makes him the first chef ever to do so. But his initial taste for Michelin success came long before.
A born and bred Geordie, Kenny left school at 16 and started working in his uncle’s hotel washing dishes. After gaining his entry-level catering qualifications, he went off to work at restaurants in Newcastle and Crete, climbing the kitchen ranks until he reached head chef level at The Greenway Hotel in Cheltenham.
It was there that he was approached to take over Tean at St Martin’s on the Isles of Scilly - a move that would end up landing him his first Michelin star. Under his leadership, the uniquely remote restaurant attracted the eyes of the inspectors with its locally sourced produce and fine-dining approach.
But with island life growing restrictive - and a Michelin star now under his belt - Kenny headed back up north, taking on the role of head chef at the White Room Restaurant within Seaham Hall. Around this time, in a twist of fate, a Great British Menu contestant pulled out at the last minute and Kenny was approached to step in. With just two weeks to prepare, he took his starter all the way to the banquet and, in an extraordinary display of confidence, returned the following year to achieve the same feat with his fish dish.
Kenny’s television appearances didn’t stop there (you may have spotted him on James Martin’s Saturday Morning and BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen) and neither did his quest for success. In 2014, Kenny launched his first solo venture, House of Tides, which won a Michelin star just 18 months after opening. A few years later and just around the corner, he and his wife Abbie opened Solstice, a small fine dining restaurant, which was also awarded a star after just eight months. Pretty impressive, right?
More recently, Kenny made his London debut with Solaya, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant on the 25th floor of art’otel London Hoxton. Offering a more relaxed approach to dining, the menu is built around comforting, sharing-style plates for those who prefer things a little less formal. However, if Michelin-level gastronomy is what excites you, Kenny’s favourite premium dining destinations are worth taking note of.
Moor Hall, Lancashire
![private dining area with chandelier and michelin star fine dining plate]()
Kenny Atkinson says: ‘One of my all-time favourite restaurants is the three-Michelin-starred Moor Hall. I’ve dined at Moor Hall three times now and each time it just keeps getting better. My good friend and chef-patron, Mark Birchall, has created a unique culinary experience from start to finish. The meal begins in the lounge with a selection of unbelievable, technically accomplished, and incredibly tasty small bites, followed by a tour of the impressive gardens, where much of the restaurant’s own produce is grown. The meal continues with your first course on the kitchen pass served by Mark himself, concluding with an elaborate and memorable tasting menu in the dining room. The meal ends how it started in the lounge with an even more impressive petit four trolley. It's a truly gastronomic dining experience - a must-try.’
Where: Prescot Road, Aughton, L39 6RT
Book now: Moor Hall
Cornus, London
![restaurant dining room and spaghetti with lobster and caviar]()
Kenny Atkinson says: ‘At present, Cornus is without doubt one of the most underrated restaurants in London. It was awarded a Michelin star in February 2025 and the team continues to grow, evolve and excel. My last two dining experiences have been at Cornus and I wouldn’t be surprised if a second star is on the horizon. Under the guidance of my good mate Gary Foulkes (ex head chef of two-Michelin-starred The Square) the food is driven by sheer simplicity and seasonality - basically, it's food you just want to eat. He's a true craftsman with a natural touch for making food that tastes and looks amazing while feeling effortless. I just cannot rate this place highly enough - without a doubt one of my favourite London restaurants and somewhere I can’t wait to return to.’
Where: 27c Eccleston Place, Belgravia, SW1W 9NF
Book now: Cornus
The Ritz Restaurant, London
![the dining room at the ritz and dorset crab with almond and fennell]()
Kenny Atkinson says: ‘I’ve been lucky enough to have dined in some of the best restaurants in the world and the Ritz is right up there. The Ritz for me is one of those restaurants that, if it were in the centre of Paris, it would have three Michelin stars for sure. The dining room is beautiful and unique, the atmosphere is very relaxed, and the staff are exceptionally attentive with a talent for making you feel like you’re the most important person in the room. The kitchen is run under the careful eye of fellow Northeast chef John Williams MBE, who I have looked up to and respected ever since I stepped in to the cheffing world - even if he was born on the wrong side of the River Tyne. His cuisine is classical with a light modern touch and executed with great precision, and the Ritz is one of the few restaurants that still offers a tableside experience, which is a must. Having the crêpe Suzettes flambeed and the squab pigeon finished tableside is one of the most memorable dining experiences I’ve had.’
Where: 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 9BR
Book now: The Ritz Restaurant
Legado, London
![restaurant dining room with neutral tones and selection of spanish small plates]()
Kenny Atkinson says: ‘A new firm favourite of mine if I’m ever in the Shoreditch area. Chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho just seems to have that magic Midas touch when it comes to creating amazing restaurants - from Barrafina to Sabor, and now her second and newly opened restaurant, Legado, which is her best yet. The menu at Legado is not your basic tapas-style offering - it's built around a huge selection of delicious small plates, perfect for sharing. The atmosphere is full of energy yet still manages to feel relaxed and informal across its different dining spaces. I’m a big fan of Nieves, and I’m certain she's is a shoo-in for another Michelin star this year.’
Where: 1C Montacute Yards, 185-186 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU
Book now: Legado
Josephine, London
![french bistro with specials board and slow cooked beef]()
Kenny Atkinson says: ‘Josephine’s is a neighbourhood French bistro created by the legendary Claude Bosi, serving a simple, no-fuss menu. Inspired by a journey through France and the dishes of Claude's hometown of Lyon, it's nothing short of brilliant, and probably the best value for money you will find in London. As well as amazing, well-cooked French classics, the unique wine service is also a must. A bottle is left on the table, and you only pay for what you actually drink, measured with a wooden ruler - pure class.’
Where: 315 Fulham Road, SW10 9QH
Book now: Josephine Chelsea
If you want more restaurant recommendations from some of the country's best chefs, check out Tommy Banks' favourite Yorkshire destinations or get the lowdown on Leonard Tanyag's top spots in London. Perhaps you're looking for a deeper insight into the business of being a chef, in which case, explore our latest interviews with Ayesha Kalaji, Maria Bradford and Nieves Barragán Mohacho.