to create sensational, bespoke gifts for our customers.
Charlie and his team will be supplying a little taste of Norfolk for our customers from his beautiful shop in Aylsham.
We think that a thoughtful housewarming gift packed and delivered with love from Charlie and his team is perfect for everyone's new home.
We had a quick chat with Charlie and discovered what he loves most about Norfolk as well as what every new homeowner should have in their fridge!
Charlie loves cheese, so much so that his dream of owning his own cheese room and Deli was eventually fulfilled back in October 2020.
Located in the market town of Aylsham the gorgeous looking Deli isn't just a place to buy local produce, but a place to ask questions and get an education. Charlie and his team are happy to answer questions from cheeses to chutneys, to what pans or knives to use.
Charlie tells us that the one thing every new homeowner should have is good cheese in their fridge. Usually, new homeowners make sure to have teabags and milk but actually, a good cheese paired with a nice bottle of wine sounds much better.
Charlie went on to say "I would also recommend that new homeowners start to grow their own herbs." He tells us that a garden isn't required for growing herbs so even if you're in an apartment you can grow great herbs in a window box. "I would suggest that homeowners grow sweet basil, coriander, mint, parsley and lemon balm is another good one to grow."
Whilst on the subject of new homeowners we ask Charlie if someone has just moved to Norfolk where would he suggest they go for a good meal.
Charlie laughs "I can't say just one place, there are a few I want to talk about."
We do a bit of negotiating and then agree to him doing his top 3!
"There's the Victoria Inn at Holkham, perfect for a Sunday lunch and then a stroll around Holkham estate or Holkham beach after." Charlie continues telling us about his friends Natalie and Dan who own Socius. "For a fine dining experience with a British twist on tapas then socius is a must"
Charlie's third choice is Erics Fish and Chips in Thornham. "It's amazing fish and chips, the fish is out of this world!" Charlie goes on to tell us about the award Eric's has just won for being the second-best fish and chip shop in the whole of the UK.
We ask Charlie what is a typical Norfolk dish? "Crab and lobster!" he blurts out immediately "Wells Crab House is amazing for crab and lobster"
Charlie not content with giving one answer again then continues "Also Norfolk pork, you can't forget that" He goes on to recommend his good mate Tim Allen AKA The Humble Farmer. Charlie then says "Don't forget Norfolk Turkey!" Obviously! Norfolk isn't Norfolk without The Norfolk Bonze. "Mortons is the place for a good turkey" Charlie tells us.
We ask Charlie if the sausage roll that he sells in his shop called "The Humble One" is named after his friend Tim Allen.
"Yes, it's a straightforward pastry and pork sausage roll, full of flavour and packed with pork." He goes on to say that the Nelson sausage roll that he won the Great British Sausage Roll Off award for in 2017 is also packed with pork from Tim Allen's farm. "When I entered that award I wanted to celebrate the great Norfolk produce and producers and because we had to tell a story through the sausage roll I called it the Nelson" As well as pork from Tim Allen, Charlie went on to say that the Nelson sausage roll has butter from Norton's dairy, flour from Letheringsett mill, saffron from Dr Sally Francis, rapeseed oil from crushed foods, spiced carrot chutney from Candi's chutney and vodka from Wild Knight, only a drop we're told!
Both The Nelson and The Humble sausage rolls can be bought at Charlie's deli along with 5 other types, each one has its own name and a story that goes with it.
We ask Charlie what he loves about Norfolk the most "The people" he answers. "The people in Norfolk are amazing. I've worked with some great people here who have gone on to become very good friends"
Lastly, we ask when the fascination for hats begun. "I've always got something on my head; when the sun is out my sunglasses are readily available on my head." After chatting about the Norfolk sun, sunrises and sunsets he tells us that his hat fancying started with a regular tweed hat because that's what you wear in Norfolk. "I then discovered that in 1849 hat makers Thomas and William Bowler were commissioned to design a hat to protect the heads of gamekeepers at Holkham Hall. These gamekeepers were continuously having their top hats knocked off by low hanging branches while out horseriding." It truly is an education when you chat with Charlie. He goes on to say "I love Holkham, it's my second home; I then become fascinated by the bowler hat and my love of hats just grew."
Will we get to see you wearing one of your hats in the Cheese room and Deli? "Of course!" Charlie says, but he doesn't tell us what hat he'd be wearing on what day!
Visit Charlie Hodson at Hodson & Co 23 Red Lion Street Aylsham Norfolk NR11 6ER
The Hodson & Co Cheese Room and Deli feature products from Norfolk, including from Coxford's Butchers, Walsingham Farm Shop, IOShen Knives, Cheese Truckle, The Tea Lady, Marsh Pig Charcuterie, Candi's Chutney and TFW Fine Wine.
01263 735980
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