A CELEBRITY chef has picked up a national accolade for his restaurant.
Kenny Atkinson at The Orangery has become one of 13 establishments across the UK to be awarded the three AA Rosettes, which is the highest rating the organisation gives.
The restaurant is part of Rockliffe Hall, a multi-million pound, five-star hotel, spa and golf complex in Hurworth, near Darlington, which is owned by Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson.
The accolades are announced twice a year.
The restaurant is the only one in the region to be given the award on this occasion.
A spokesman for the AA said: "The old Victorian orangery, with its new lease of life as a fine-dining restaurant under the auspices of Kenny Atkinson, makes for an engaging space to sample Kenny's modern British cooking, which is based on top quality produce, a good deal of it local, and pin-sharp technical skills.
"Restaurants serving food of a three rosette standard are worthy of recognition from well beyond their local area and I am delighted that these 13 very deserving restaurants have been acknowledged for their efforts."
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