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The Courier
13-05-2025
- The Courier
Beachfront beats, boozy milkshakes and steak souvlaki at Dook café in St Andrews
West Sands has always been a regular escape for me – whether to walk the dogs, paddleboard, or swim in the sea. But it wasn't until 2022, when Dook opened, that the area truly became a full-day destination. There was the Seashell café on that spot before, but it had a modest offering. The location was crying out for something more and Dook has delivered exactly that, and then some. Founded by brothers Robbie and Sam Larg, who also owns The Cheesy Toast Shack with his wife Kate, Dook took over the neglected beachfront hut and reimagined it as a laid-back, music-filled, foodie hub beside the dunes. 'I was in the oil industry for 27 years,' says Robbie. 'Me and the younger brother, Sam, decided to go in with this together.' Robbie had long had his eye on the spot. 'I'd been asking the Links Trust if we could lease it from them, and I think I must've just called them at the right time.' Once they got the green light, it was full steam ahead. 'We didn't have a business plan. We kind of winged it. But Sam has the experience so we were able to learn from his mistakes and successes.' But what they lacked in planning, they made up for in vision. 'We wanted it to be a kind of family place where people hang out. You've got kids, dogs, teenagers, everyone,' Robbie explains. 'Our customers range from four-year-old kids to the putting ladies from The Himalayas Putting Course that come up every Thursday – some of them are in their 80s.' That open, welcoming spirit is clear the moment you arrive. The staff are lovely – happy to adapt any order. I can be a bit tricky with gluten-free requests and fussy preferences, and they never blink an eye. 'We try to make them feel happier than when they came in,' Robbie says. 'Even if it's really busy and queued out, we'll see everyone spend that extra minute just being friendly.' And the food really is excellent. Robbie's personal favourite? 'The chorizo sandwich,' he says without hesitation. 'Especially now that we're getting our bread delivered fresh every morning from Barnett's Bakery in Fife.' We went during one of their food truck weekends, when Feta, a Greek street food pop-up, was in residence. Their halloumi gyros (£10) – served gluten-free with a red pepper hummus and whipped feta – was absolutely delicious. The halloumi had a light cornflour coating and the gluten-free pitta helped me scoop all the generous ingredients into tasty, summery mouthfuls. My husband had the mushroom souvlaki (£12), with chestnut and oyster mushrooms cooked sous vide, finished on the grill, and served with fries and Greek salad. It was so good he forgot to pinch any of my halloumi. We also had the filo-wrapped honey feta bites (£6), perfect for snacking on the go, and the Greek poutine: oregano-coated fries topped with big chunks of feta £6.50. And since we are recently back from Cyprus and missing the cuisine, we also ordered the Horiatiki salad, which was full of fresh flavour and delicious olives for our daughter to pinch and scoff. We honestly felt like we were dining beachside on a Greek island. These summer pop-ups rotate throughout the season. 'For the next two weekends we've got the guys from Feta. Then after that, for four weeks, we've got Shrimp Wreck from Portobello,' Robbie says. Between the beach and Blown Away watersports, beside the new sauna, Dook is central to the bustling West Sands scene. And this summer it is the place to be. That laid-back, all-ages vibe carries through the music as well. 'We decided to put music on every weekend, all year,' says Robbie. 'When we started, it was sometimes one guy playing to just one person. But we just kept going – every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. 'And now we get people coming down just for the music.' Our daughter loved it – dancing non-stop to the weekend DJ set. There were couples sunbathing with Aperol spritzes, dogs lounging under picnic tables, and retirees enjoying coffee with a sea view. It's the kind of atmosphere that's hard to manufacture but easy to fall into. And it's not just a fair-weather operation. Dook has adapted to the challenges of a Scottish summer. 'Last year was a really bad summer,' Robbie says. 'The stretch canopy has really helped,' he says. And it also provides shade on those cherished scorcher days. On the drinks side, there's everything from flat whites made by trained baristas (mine was genuinely one of the best I've had) to boozy milkshakes. I was thrilled to try their mango milkshake with Malibu and cream – it tasted like a summer holiday in a cup. 'We go for a smooth flavour with our coffee,' Robbie explains. 'All our staff are trained and we really want our coffee to be the best quality' Since starting the café, Robbie's life has changed dramatically as he is now able to spend more time with his family. 'I can take the kids to school now and I try to pick them up too. And if I need to be in the café, they can often come too. 'Being back home rather than offshore has made me realise and appreciate everything that my wife has done while I was away.' Behind the scenes, the work is nonstop. 'Everybody thinks you're queued out the door, you must be a millionaire,' he says. 'But every business will tell you the same, it's hard to keep things even with all the costs going up.' Winter is especially tough. 'We were advised to close during the winter, but I wanted to give the team year-round employment. We've got great staff, I didn't want to lose them. 'But this winter past, we broke even, which was great.' Plans are in the works for expansion. 'Sam and I would like to open up another place similar to this,' he says. 'We are looking at locations now, Broughty Ferry or somewhere on the Angus coast would be good.' And if they do, I'll be first in line. For now, though, West Sands is all the better for Dook. A welcoming place where you can bring the dog, get a cold Prosecco or a hot coffee, enjoy a souvlaki with your toes in the sand, and stay for sunset while the DJ keeps spinning. Address: West Sands Road, St Andrews KY16 9JD Email: info@ Website: Price: £42 for five dishes Accessible: Yes Dog Friendly: Yes Scores: Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Surrounding: 5/5
CBS News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
University of St. Thomas track athlete is shattering school records this season
University of St. Thomas track and field athlete Olivia Keller is known for her speed on the track. The junior Captain broke the school record for the 400 meter this season. "I think that record is meant to be continually broken," Keller said. "Our team is building and building on each other, so just to be a part of that, is just amazing." She also broke the long jump UST track and field program record at 5.90 meters this season, and most recently the school record for the 400 meter hurdles. Getting height is a skill she learned way before track and field, when she started Irish dancing as a first grader. This passion unknowingly at the time laid the groundwork for the sport she would pursue as a D1 athlete. "A lot of it was the leaps and movements I had learned in Irish dance, and then I started learning hurdles about a year and half ago here at [University of] St. Thomas, which is pretty similar as well, so it definitely helped with my overall athleticism," said Keller. Keller does it all. She's a heptathlon athlete, meaning she competes in seven different track and field events. Running is her strength, but it's more meaningful when she succeeds in throwing, a newer skill for her. "I'm way more excited about that because you can see the improvement happening," said Keller. On top of being a student-athlete, she's a pre-med student majoring in neuroscience, currently studying for her med-school exam. She also recently wrote a children's book called "The Speaking Seashell," about a child's relationship with their grandparents. "As kids who are growing up, just emphasizing that bond between their grandparents and all that they can learn," said Keller. Just like she races for the finish line in track, Keller runs at her other passions with the same tenacity. "I had an idea and I took action on it, and that's definitely what I try to do a lot in life," said Keller.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cricut® Unveils the Next Generation of Smart Cutting Machines: Cricut Explore® 4 and Cricut Maker® 4
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, February 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cricut®, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRCT), a leading creative technology company, has announced the next generation of its smart cutting machines: Cricut Explore® 4 and Cricut Maker® 4. Starting February 28, Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 will be available for purchase in the U.S. and Canada on and Michaels in two new colors: Seashell and Sage, with Sage machines exclusively sold in a bundle at Michaels. These new machines offer an elevated out-of-box experience with more materials included, speeds up to two times faster than the previous generation1, and an improved user experience in Design Space®, all at a lower price point than the previous generation of machines. "Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 are designed to give our creative community more of what they've been asking for," said Ashish Arora, CEO of Cricut. "We are launching these new models at a lower price point than the previous models and we've added even greater value to each machine by including tools and materials to help creatives get started right out of the box. Our new machines coupled with improvements in our Design Space platform will empower everyone to make projects easily for their loved ones." Enhanced Out-of-Box Experience To help new users jump into their first projects faster and easier, both Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 come with additional materials in the box, including Smart Vinyl™, Cardstock, Smart Iron-on™, Transfer Tape, and essential tools like the Mini Weeder and Light Grip Machine Mat. These added materials empower users to kickstart their creativity with everything they need to complete their first 10 projects2. Two Times Faster Cutting Speeds When cutting materials like cardstock and vinyl on a machine mat, Cricut Explore 4 and Cricut Maker 4 offer cutting speeds up to twice as fast as previous models. With faster cutting speeds, these machines save users time while crafting, unlocking more opportunities to bring their creative visions to life. Easier to Get Started The new machines feature an updated, beginner-friendly experience for machine setup and learning. This includes a First Project tutorial with enhanced customization and an introduction to the Design, Cut, and Assemble stages of using a Cricut machine, as well as more beginner-level project options. This streamlined approach helps users hit the ground running, ensuring a more intuitive and rewarding experience as they embark on their creative journey. Pricing and Availability In the US and Canada, Cricut Explore 4 ($249.99) and Cricut Maker 4 ($399.99) will be available starting February 28. On this date, both models will be available in Seashell color on and at Michaels. The Sage-colored models will be available exclusively at Michaels in a bundle. Beginning March 14, Seashell machines will be available at all other major retailers where Cricut products are sold, while the Sage color will continue to be available only at Michaels in a bundle. For more information, visit Cricut's blog. About Cricut, Inc. Cricut, Inc. is a creative technology company whose cutting machines and design software help people lead creative lives. Cricut hardware and software work together as a connected platform for consumers to make beautiful, high-quality DIY projects quickly and easily. These industry-leading products include a flagship line of smart cutting machines — the Cricut Maker® family, the Cricut Explore® family, and the Cricut Joy™ family— accompanied by other unique tools like Cricut EasyPress®, the Infusible Ink™ system, and a diverse collection of materials. In addition to providing tools and materials, Cricut fosters a thriving community of millions of dedicated users worldwide. 1 Compared to previous generation machine when using machine mat. Speed varies based on machine settings.2 Projects calculated based on a 4 in x 6 in average size and using included materials. View source version on Contacts Media Relationspr@ Investor Relationsinvestors@ Sign in to access your portfolio
