Charlie Hodson wins Great Sausage Roll Off 2017
Charlie Hodson has been named champion of the fifth Great Sausage Roll Off contest held at the Red Lion pub in Barnes.
The annual competition, which raises funds for children's hospice charity Shooting Star Chase, saw 19 chefs compete to create the best sausage roll.
He was declared winner by the judges with his pork and saffron roll named "from Norfolk with love".
The judging panel was made up of: Pierre Koffmann; Graham Garrett, chef owner of the West House, in Biddenden, Kent; Mark Poynton, chef owner of Alimentum in Cambridge; Dan Doherty chef director of the Duck and Waffle in Bishopsgate, London; and Neil Rankin, owner of Temper in London's Soho.
Second place went to Alan Paton for his "Memories O'hame wi a littr fae the bard himself, Mr Rabbie Burns" while third place was awarded to Brendan Fyldes who cooked a venison, mulled wine and apple roll.
Hodson said: "I feel amazing, this is a great achievement for Norfolk. My producers, my pig farmer, my butcher and Norfolk saffron won this, not me. I didn't think I was going to win - I didn't come out to win, I came to promote Norfolk.
"To have Pierre and Dan say my food was good felt great. I'm just a Norfolk boy and that's what I do. I'm a champion for Norfolk and I wouldn't be able to do what I do without the support of Norfolk food and drink. "
Angus McKean, co-manager of the Red Lion said: "The calibre of everybody is high again this year, and that is underlined by the chefs I have in the judging panel which has fed through to the contestants. They are great chefs and some well established people, it's great for everyone involved and now I'll have to try and top it for next year!"
The finalists included:
Si Toft, the Dining Room, Abersoch
Alan Paton, Stoke by Nayland Hotel Golf and Spa
Kevin Jones, the Chamberlain hotel, London
Daniel Merry, the Botanist, Broadgate
Mat Follas, Bramble Cafe Deli
Anton Manganaro, BAFTA 195 Piccadilly
Charlie Hodson, Charlies Norfolk Food Heroes
Brendan Fyldes, Green & Fortunes at Sea Containers
Simon Oakley, Rocksalt Folkestone
Chef Tim Blanchard
Jon Leyton, the Knife & Cleaver, Houghton
Rob Thompson, the Compasses Inn, Crundale
Matthew Hill, Down Hall Country House Hotel
Greig Hunter, Morden Hall
Keith Hooker, Temple and Sons Restaurant
Stewart Parker, BH Live
Catharine Johnson, the King's Head, Wickham
Chris Brumby (2014 Roll Off Winner), MYPIE
Phil Harrison (2016 Roll off Winner), Prep Cook Eat Supper Club
Sausage Roll Off 2017 line-up announced >>