Charlie Hodson appointed group exec chef of Bourgee

Charlie Hodson has been appointed group executive chef at the Bourgee group of restaurants.

Hodson will oversee the affordable steak and lobster brand's two sites in Southend and Norwich, the latter which was launched in November 2018, as well as its planned expansion.

An ambassador for industry charity Hospitality Action, Hodson previously worked as executive chef at two-AA-starred Grove in Cromer, and is the founder of Charlie's Norfolk Food Heroes.

Hodson said: "I feel very privileged to be working with two great friends and am looking forward to establishing Bourgee Norwich as one of the finest venues to dine and drink within this wonderful city. I am here for the long haul so in the long-term, I am also excited to work alongside the brand as it grows throughout the UK."

Co-owners and founders James Welling and Mark Baumann added: "We are delighted to be working alongside a name synonymous with all things Norfolk, our great friend and chef, Charlie Hodson."

Bourgee saw three of its four sites fall into administration last year, which led to Welling and Mark Baumann take full ownership of the brand before relaunching its expansion efforts with the opening of the Norwich site. Welling described the Norwich launch as "Bourgee 2.0" after the brand underwent "a lot of change".

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