Born in Winnipeg, Atkinson moved to British Columbia to attend the Pacific Vocational Institute of Cooking. He joined the Salmon House on the Hill as a sous chef in 1991 and became a head chef less than two years later. During his time at the restaurant, Salmon House on the Hill has won the 1999 Award for Most Memorable Meal from Where Vancouver magazine and the Critic's Choice Award for Best Seafood from Vancouver Magazine. He wrote the Salmon House on the Hill Cookbook (Whitecap Books, 2001).

[BCBW 2003] "Cookbook"