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'It's all happened so fast' - Couple breathes new life into village café

Mariners Galley in Rushall is now open <i>(Image: Mariners Galley)</i>
Mariners Galley in Rushall is now open (Image: Mariners Galley)

A café that closed during the coronavirus pandemic has reopened as a bistro with monthly set menus.

Stradbroke couple Amy and Glenn Hoddy are at the helm of Mariners Galley in Rushall near Harleston.

Mr Hoddy was a chef in the Navy for many years and has a passion for food.

"It's all happened so fast," Mrs Hoddy said. "We only started doing pop-up kitchens in February where we served set menus.

Eastern Daily Press: Owners Amy and Glenn Hoddy
Eastern Daily Press: Owners Amy and Glenn Hoddy

Owners Amy and Glenn Hoddy (Image: Mariners Galley)

"And then Glenn saw the café online and we decided to go for it.

"We'd spoken about opening a café one day but didn't imagine it would be this soon."

READ MORE: Man who has visited every Wetherspoon gives his verdict on the Norfolk pubs

"Our first week has been incredible and the online response has been amazing as well."

Eastern Daily Press: Blueberry and croissant puddings
Eastern Daily Press: Blueberry and croissant puddings

Blueberry and croissant puddings (Image: Mariners Galley)

The couple are also getting help from their children - Shellie, Laila and Ryan - who will complete an apprenticeship at the eatery which is a café during the day and a bistro at weekends.

Mrs Hoddy, a senior support worker, said: "We wanted to keep it as a café but give it something extra so it will be more of a bistro at the weekends.

READ MORE: Chocolate shop launches garden parties in newly-opened outdoor oasis

"Glenn is using loads of local produce and making everything from scratch, like all of our sauces and cakes.

"And we're hoping to re-start our monthly kitchen pop-ups in the bistro, so at the end of June we're having a seafood set menu for the evening.

Eastern Daily Press: Glenn has a passion for food and has been a chef for many years
Eastern Daily Press: Glenn has a passion for food and has been a chef for many years

Glenn has a passion for food and has been a chef for many years (Image: Mariners Galley)

"But it's a massive learning curve so we're taking it as it comes and we'll add as we go."

The café can sit 22 inside and has a dog-friendly courtyard seating area outside which can seat another 22.

The Mariners Galley is open from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday and from 9am to 3pm Sunday.