ONE of the UK’s most soughtafter chefs has turned down offers from some of the best restaurants in London and across the world to join the North-East’s newest five-star resort.

Double Michelin-starred chef Kenny Atkinson will join Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, next month, after turning down big-money offers from around the world to join the luxury venue in his native North-East.

Mr Atkinson will move to the multi-million pound hotel, spa and golf development from his current position at The White Room, at Seaham Hall, which is currently the region’s only five-star hotel.

Rockliffe Hall – which opens on November 23 – will now rename its fine dining restaurant Kenny Atkinson at the Orangery.

Mr Atkinson shot to fame at the start of this year after winning the BBC’s Great British Menu television series, and last week was named chef of the year at The Cateys, the catering industry’s most fiercely competitive awards hosted by industry trade bible Caterer and Hotelkeeper. He also earned The White Room a national reputation by securing the venue a Michelin star.

The 32-year-old chef, who earned his first Michelin star two years ago while in the Scilly Isles, said: “I’ve had a number of really tempting offers from a host of amazing restaurants in London and across the world, but the opportunity to continue to wave the flag for the North-East was one I simply could not resist.

“Quite simply, I was blown away when I first saw Rockliffe Hall. The attention to detail is staggering. The place and its people are demanding the very best. It was a challenge I simply could not resist once they suggested my name could be above the door of the restaurant.

“They are taking me right out of my comfort zone, but I know I’ll thrive on that kind of pressure. This is my toughest challenge yet.”

The management team at Rockliffe Hall said Mr Atkinson’s appointment is a major coup for the venue.

Managing director Nick Holmes said: “Kenny is a chef at the top of his game right now and we are thrilled to have him here at Rockliffe Hall. To secure a Michelin star not just once, but twice, is a feat bettered by few chefs the world over. His performance on Great British Menu backed up his growing reputation as one of the new stars of British cooking.

“Kenny will play a major part in making us one of the top five-star hotel, golf, spa and now restaurant destinations in the UK.”

Mr Atkinson said he was committed to helping Rockliffe Hall achieve the “wow factor”.

“Nick and the team at Rockliffe Hall are very ambitious and want to show the North- East is one of the great parts of the world,” he said.

“I share their passion and drive and I know that, together, we can create something very special.”