It's a double celebration for the Atkinson family as their two Newcastle restaurants have both won recognition from Michelin Guide inspectors.
Geordie chef Kenny Atkinson's House of Tides has retained its Michelin Star for the fifth year, while his wife Abbie's bistro, Violets, has earned a Bib Gourmand.
Stars are The Michelin Guide's most sought-after awards, which indicate food of the highest quality. House of Tides is the only Newcastle restaurant to hold any.
Bib Gourmands are awarded to restaurants which offer "exceptionally good food at moderate prices".
Kenny, who opened House of Tides six years ago, said: "It's been a really good weekend, we were hopeful, have worked hard and we see what we do for both businesses is in the right direction, but we never know until the awards and books are released."
Owner Kenny paid tribute to his staff's dedication and high standards, which secured House of Tides' fifth consecutive star.
With Michelin inspectors, Kenny said, there is "no leeway", which is a positive, as the chef-proprietor rightly wants every diner to be treated like they are one of The Guide's critics. The chef likened retaining stars to managing a top football team, as clubs can miss out on titles just by dropping one point.
He said: "It just shows that the guys are working extremely hard and have been consistent. They [the inspectors] can come any time, we don't know when they are going to come."
Kenny added: "If we have that one bad meal, that can cost us that star."
The Atkinsons returned to Newcastle in the early hours of Tuesday, after Monday night's Michelin Guide ceremony in London.
But Kenny was back in the kitchen by 9.30am to thank staff and remind them that the path to retaining House of Tides' star and Violets' bib started again today.
He said: "It never stops, I came in this morning, sat the guys down and congratulated them, but it's same again, the work doesn't stop, we can't relax. We could be inspected tonight or tomorrow.
Kenny added: "The whole job doesn't stop, it just continues really."
Elsewhere in the North East, The Raby Hunt, near Darlington, retained its two Michelin stars. Newcastle's Broad Chare and Route kept their Bib Gourmands, as did The Staith House in North Shields.
Raby Hunt owner and self-taught chef James Close congratulated his team for winning two Michelin stars for the third-year running.
"Every chef wants a Michelin star," said James, "and to have managed to retain our two stars for the third year running is absolutely wonderful.
"It is one thing earning two stars and quite another keeping them," said the chef, who opened the Raby Hunt a decade ago.
"My team and I have to be at the top of our game every single day and this accolade is proof that I have one of the best teams in the business.
"Getting The Raby Hunt to this standard – and keeping it there – is an immense pleasure and privilege and I’d like to thank everyone at the restaurant and all our customers, too.
"They are the ultimate judges – if it wasn't for them the restaurant wouldn't be celebrating its 10th birthday, let alone its two stars."
