It's been 15 years since Newcastle produced a Michelin-starred restaurant and to celebrate putting the Toon back on the map, Kenny Atkinson is hosting the first in a series of guest chef takeovers at his now one Michelin star restaurant, House of Tides.
Kenny is joining forces with a few of his friends in the industry who all hold stars themselves and bringing them to the North East so his customers can experience their food without having to travel across the UK to do so.
He said: "I've done Obsession at Northcote twice, which is a great event and I'm trying to do what Nigel (Haworth) does.
I'm never going to create a Northcote Newcastle because what Nigel has done down there is phenomenal but what I love about it is he brings the best chefs from around the country and the world to Northcote so the people of Lancashire have the opportunity to come and experience that type of food."
He added: "You always think of the north as not having good restaurants but there are some real gems starting to appear now and this year off the back of Michelin with myself and Michael O'Hare at Man Behind The Curtain, Michelin have showed that support by saying 'the north is changing'.
"I want to start bringing a different Michelin-starred chef to House of Tides to do a guest night and basically show people what is available outside Newcastle. It gives my customers another excuse to come back to the restaurant but try food they wouldn't normally get the chance to try."
Having entered the Michelin Guide one star list this year for the first time, House of Tides has seen a massive increase in bookings already.
"It's been mental!" Explained Kenny. "But we embrace it, and if the numbers continue it means we can invest more in the team and strengthening it even more. Because Newcastle hasn't had a star for 15 years it's been great publicity for us and of course great for business."
The first guest chef is Tommy Banks, and Kenny explains 'he is so underrated' but he is a 'phenomenal chef doing great things' at The Black Swan in Oldstead.
Kenny said: "His whole philosophy from growing his own stuff to investing in his own meat produce and cattle; he's very much self sufficient and you have to admire that. I don't think people know much about him so it's a good platform for him to show the North East what he's about.
"Not only can my customers try his food but they can meet him too and the other chefs I get on board. People never get the opportunity to meet the chefs so this allows diners to interact with them"
The night will consist of ten courses with both chefs collaborating and doing a selection of their own dishes. Kenny wanted to kick start his guest chef nights with someone who is a good friend of his and who is local. He said: "Tommy isn't a big name and we've nearly sold out already. Imagine if I was to get Glynn Pernnel up or Tom Kerridge; it would be mental - I just need to get them tied down to a date!"
There are still a few places left for Kenny and Tommy's night at House of Tides on October 22. Email [email protected] or call 0191 230 3720 for more details.
By Cara Pilkington
@canteencara
