The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Back to classroom for young entrepreneurs after café success
East neuk: Pair spent school holiday running pop-up eatery
While most pupils spent the holidays relaxing and making the most of no school for six weeks, two young East Neuk entrepreneurs put on their aprons and launched their own business.
Jessie Barnett, 16, and Amber Ramsay, 18, ran a pop-up café in Pittenweem, feeding locals and visitors to the popular tourist village.
Supported by a staff of fellow pupils from Waid Academy, the pair opened Cuppa after their success in the Trade@ Waid scheme at their Anstruther school, which saw them reach the finals of the Young Enterprise Scotland competition.
Customers were astounded and impressed when they took their seats, only to discover the eatery operated without an adult in sight.
As they closed their doors for the last time on Saturday, Amber said: “People are quite surprised when they see it’s just us running it and there are no adults helping out. They have told us that they admire what we are doing and wish that they had done something like this when they were young.”
When Jessie’s father invited them to take over his empty High Street premises for the holidays, the friends jumped at the chance to have a taste of the world of work before returning to the classroom.
Amber said: “We had to come in every day of the week before we opened to sort it out and get the menu ready.
“I’m glad we did it. It has given me a lot of skills that I can take with me.
“It’s been hard work but also a lot of fun. A lot of good memories have been made.”
While Jessie, who returns to school on Wednesday, ran the kitchen and ordering side of the business, Amber, who is going on to study childcare at Fife College, looked after front of house and finances.
Jessie said: “When the opportunity came up to run a café for the summer holidays we jumped at the chance.
“We were both a bit nervous at the beginning, wondering how we would manage, but we have had the backing of great family, friends and teachers.
“We closed on Sundays and Mondays to let us be teenagers and we put our grown-up pinnies back on again Tuesdays to Saturdays.”
As well as serving the likes of homemade soup and cake, they sold pieces by local crafters and their own giftware from Trade@Waid.
I’m glad we did it. It has given me a lot of skills that I can take with me. AMBER RAMSAY