Hodson and Co restaurant in Aylsham to close its doors

Charlie Hodson, who owns Hodson and Co in Aylsham, is retiring after spending 35 years working in kitchens across Norfolk. 

He opened the restaurant, which serves up to eight people at just one table, in December last year after originally launching it as a cheese room with a delicatessen. 

Hodson and Co in Aylsham is closing its doors (Image: Newsquest / Denise Bradley)

Mr Hodson, who won awards including the Norfolk Food and Drink Champion and AA Double Rosettes, is also stopping his home dining service and producing his award-winning sausage rolls. 

He said: "I'm immensely grateful to our wonderful patrons, staff, and producers who've been part of this journey.

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"To those who travelled from near and far, even in tough economic times, and to the countless individuals we've had the privilege of serving in homes and on staycations in our beloved Norfolk - cooking for you has been an utter joy."

During his career, Mr Hodson worked as a commercial patron at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and was an ambassador of Proudly Norfolk.

Charlie Hodson (Image: Charlie Hodson)

In 2017 he won the national Sausage Roll Off and went on to recreate the pastry treat on Sunday Brunch. 

Mr Hodson will now focus on mental health advocacy and hopes to partner with a charity.

He added: "Drawing from my own experience and battle with mental health, my primary goal is to share the journey of rediscovering life's joys and finding a way out of the darkness that shadowed my life for over 40 years."

The restaurant will close its doors on December 30 and Mr Hodson will stop selling his sausage rolls on December 23.