Latest news with #TheCoach
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I tried UK's cheapest Michelin Star restaurant and price left me gobsmacked'
Michelin-starred restaurant are recognised for their exceptional food and upscale atmosphere but one man visited a pub in Buckinghamshire with this rating and was stunned by the bill A man dined at the UK's most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant and was taken aback by how much it cost. The sought-after Michelin Star is given by the Michelin Guide to restaurants that deliver exceptional food, with venues earning one, two, or three stars depending on the level of excellence. With more than 100 Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK, many assume dining at one means spending a small fortune but content creator Callum Ryan proved that's not always true. Callum, who's built a following of 1.1 million and racked up 49.2 million likes on TikTok, is known for sharing his food adventures and travel stories on the platform. One of his latest TikTok videos focuses on his review of The Coach in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, a one-star Michelin pub run by renowned chef Tom Kerridge. Callum exclaimed: "I went to the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant in the UK and you won't believe how much it cost." He tucked into a lunch set menu, starting with a tomato salad with burrata and basil pesto and declared: "I know you're going to think I'm exaggerating but this was probably the best salad I've ever had. "It was genuinely perfect. The only thing I would change is the portion sizes, I just wanted so much more but I can't get over how cheap this was." Moving onto the main course, he enjoyed a smoked chicken macaroni cheese, finding the topping "kind of chewy" but otherwise praising the dish for its creamy richness, dubbing it a "really, really good main." Callum gave the pasta dish he sampled an impressive eight out of ten, before tucking into a delightful lemon posset for dessert. He enjoyed the sweet treat so much that he considered returning to The Coach just to have it again. In his final verdict, Callum praised the meal's quality, presentation, and service, all of which he rated a perfect ten out of ten. He revealed that the two-course meal would have set him back a mere £15, adding: "Of course, I went for three courses and the whole thing cost me £22.50 so I'd highly recommend that you go and check it out." His TikTok clip has racked up 104,200 views, more than 2,000 likes, and sparked dozens of comments. Some critics took issue with the portion sizes, with one remarking: "Looks great but kids size portions." Another seconded: "Cheap because such small portions." A third chimed in with: "That will never fill you up." However, not all feedback was negative, with some users praising the eatery, with comments like "the breakfast there is even better", "looks lush", "I love this place" and "love that." The Michelin Guide also highlights other affordable options at Michelin Star restaurants, such as Bulrush in Bristol, which offers a six-course tasting menu from Tuesday to Thursday early evening for £65, or Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham, where diners can enjoy a three-course dinner from Wednesday to Friday for £47.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Most Overlooked Catalyst For Innovation Is A Trusted Mentor
Mentorship remains a quiet superpower. And for those who embrace it systematically and consistently, ... More it can turn possibility into progress faster than any tool alone. Innovation is often portrayed as the result of genius, capital, technology or timing. But one of its most under-appreciated accelerants does not appear on a balance sheet or patent filing: a trusted mentor. Whether you are an entrepreneur building from scratch, a corporate leader launching a transformation initiative or a researcher pushing the boundaries of possibility, the right mentor can be a multiplier of progress and a safety net when risks go sideways. In the age of AI, moonshots and agile pivots, mentorship may feel old-fashioned. But mentorship is not just relevant, it is essential. As the complexity of innovation grows, so does the value of someone who has already charted the path and is willing to walk with you through yours. Why Mentorship Fuels Innovation A great mentor does not just give advice. Mentors provide pattern recognition, network amplification, confidence calibration, timely feedback, and more. They offer something algorithms cannot; they share lived experiences laced with personal investment. Consider Steve Jobs and Bill Campbell. Known as 'The Coach of Silicon Valley,' Campbell mentored Jobs, Larry Page Jeff Bezos and many others. While he never wrote a line of code, his fingerprints are all over some of the most consequential product decisions in modern history. Why? Campbell helped many leaders navigate ambiguity, build trust within teams and resolve conflicts. These are core components of innovation that rarely make headlines but often determine success or failure. Another example is Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx. She credits much of her early success to the advice of Richard Branson, among others, who helped her understand how to scale without losing her brand's scrappy DNA. The connection between the two was orchestrated through networks that understand the importance of aligned, purposeful mentorship. Most importantly, mentors drive innovation that leads to lasting results in the business world. As VentureWell reports: Mentors can also play a powerful role for internal innovation. A report by Deloitte found that 'high performing learning organizations' (which includes utilizing mentors) are 92% more likely to innovate and 46% more likely to be first to market in their niche. Mentorship Innovation Is A Two-Way Street Finding the right mentor requires a certain level of proactivity. While great mentors are willing to give back and help others, they are not going to become your mentor without any effort on your part. In a podcast interview, Ginger King explains, 'When you want somebody to be your mentor, it's not only what they can do for you, it's also what you can do for them … Yes, looking for a mentor is extremely important. But you cannot just ask anyone to be a mentor because people have limited time. If you want help, you need to offer your value to them, as well.' King used social media and event attendance to build a mentorship relationship with Dayton John of Shark Tank, all while focused on providing value herself, such as giving a helpful answer when he asked for a solution for biodegradable caps on Instagram. In that particular social media interaction, because they had already developed a relationship from previous interactions, John asked her for help with something else as well. Indeed, mentees can often offer value through their own expertise in emerging tools and technology, bringing diverse cultural insights from their background or helping mentors identify their own blind spots through meaningful feedback. A proactive and properly nurtured relationship creates wins for both sides. Future View Of Mentorship Looking ahead, the role of mentors in fostering innovation will become even more critical and nuanced. Here are just a few: Suggested Action Steps To capture the immense benefits of mentorship for innovation, individuals and organizations should consider the following: For Individuals: For Organizations: Turning Mentorship Into Innovation Mentorship remains a quiet superpower. For those who embrace it systematically and consistently, it can turn possibility into progress faster than any tool alone. With the right mentor in your corner, you can gain access to a powerful source of knowledge, resources, insights and ideas as you embark on your own innovative efforts.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
D. Wayne Lukas, Hall of Fame trainer who shaped horse racing, dies
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, shown at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore in 2015 before the 140th Preakness Stakes, won 15 Triple Crown races. Lukas has died at age 89. (Garry Jones / Associated Press) Darrell Wayne Lukas, known to the general public as D. Wayne and to friends simply as Wayne or as 'The Coach' if you were in the business, died on Saturday after a brief illness. He was 89. Lukas' career, which started in Southern California in 1968, not only built a recognizable brand but helped shape horse racing for more than 50 years. He won 15 Triple Crown races among his lifetime win total of 4,953, having run horses in 30,436 races. His horses earned more than $300 million. Advertisement He died at his home in Louisville, Ky., after being diagnosed with a severe MRSA blood infection that affected his heart, digestive system and worsened preexisting chronic conditions. Lukas decided against an aggressive treatment plan that involved surgeries and round-the-clock assistance. Instead, he returned home and entered hospice care. "It is with heavy hearts that we ahare he passing of out beloved husband, grandfather and great-grandfather D. Wayne Lukas. who left this world peacefully [Saturday] evening at the age of 89 surrounded by family," the Lukas family said in a statement released by Churchill Downs. "His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family and faith. As we grieve at his passing, we find peace knowing he is now reunited with his beloved son, Jeff, whose memory he carried in his heart always. "We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from all corners of the racing community — from ractetracks across the country to lifelong friends and respected rivals, and from fans who never missed a post parade when 'Lukas' was listed in the program." Advertisement His illness was announced on June 22 along with the decision that he would not return to training. All of his horses were transferred to his longtime assistant Sebastian "Bas" Nicholl. Read more: Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, in declining health, won't return to horse racing 'Wayne built a legacy that will never be matched.' said Nicholl upon learning Lukas was not returning to racing. 'Every decision I make, every horse I saddle, I'll hear his voice in the back of my mind. This isn't about filling his shoes — no one can — it's about honoring everything he's built.' Lukas was so good that he was in not one but two halls of fame. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007 and the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1999. Advertisement 'Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in thoroughbred racing history,' said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs racetrack in Kentucky, after the Lukas family announced the severity of his illness. 'He transcended the sport of horse racing and took the industry to new levels. The lasting impact of his character and wisdom — from his acute horsemanship to his unmatched attention to detail — will be truly missed." Lukas' story started on a small farm in Wisconsin. Bill Dwyre, who previously was the sports editor of L.A. Times and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, recently chronicled Lukas' roots. 'Lukas did not grow up on some farm in Kentucky, mucking stables as a teenager and rubbing elbows all day, every day, with grizzled horsemen,' Dwyre wrote last year after Lukas won the Preakness with Seize the Grey. 'Lukas did grow up on a farm, all right, but in the state of Wisconsin, where there is no parimutuel betting, and where horse racing is pretty much confined to county fairs. His birthplace, Antigo, Wis., an hour and a half northwest of Green Bay, had a fair and D. Wayne ... liked the horses. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on as Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey cools down after a workout ahead of the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes in 2024. (Julia Nikhinson / Associated Press) 'But that sort of career was not foremost in his mind. He went to the University of Wisconsin, got his master's degree in education, started teaching and soon was a high school head basketball coach. For a while, he was an assistant coach in the Big Ten for UW's John Erickson. He stayed close to the game of basketball, even as his days were dominated by barns and backstretches. Along the way, one of his best friends became Bob Knight. D. Wayne liked the toughness and drive to win of the legendary Indiana University coach.' Advertisement Lukas decided to try his hand at training and started at Los Alamitos in 1968 working with quarter horses. It took him 10 years to realize that the real stars — and the money — was in thoroughbred racing. Before leaving the quarter horse ranks, he won 739 races and saddled 24 world champions. Read more: Commentary: Irascible D. Wayne Lukas brings energy to an otherwise dull Belmont Stakes He won his first thoroughbred race on Oct. 20, 1977, at Santa Anita. He won his last race at Churchill Downs on June 12 with 4-year-old colt Tour Player. In between, he won the Kentucky Derby four times, the Preakness seven times and the Belmont Stakes four times. He has won 20 Breeders' Cup races. He won the Eclipse Award for top trainer four times and was the leading trainer by wins four straight years from 1987 to 1990. In 1995, he won all three Triple Crown races but with two different horses; Thunder Gulch won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and Timber Country won the Preakness. It was the first time a trainer accomplished that feat. Advertisement 'The most enduring and essential sports legacies can also be the most complicated,' wrote NBC's Tim Layden, a multiple Eclipse Award-winning journalist, upon learning of Lukas' illness. 'The very best are not just driven, but obsessive. Not just creative, but ingenious. Not just hungry, but voracious. Jordan. Woods. Ali. Armstrong. Rose. One of Lukas' favorites, and a close friend: Bob Knight. To name a few. … Transcendence demands a selfish eccentricity; because greatness and normalcy are often mutually exclusive. Lukas has lived long enough to earn a warm embrace that he would not have received as a younger man, but that embrace alone doesn't tell enough of his outsized story and his place in racing history, where he stands very much alone.' Lukas first made his thoroughbred mark in 1980 when he won the Preakness with Codex. It was not a popular win as Codex beat Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk and then had to withstand an inquiry to officially give Lukas his first Triple Crown win. Bookending that win was his last Triple Crown race victory, when he won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey. 'One of the things that was very significant to me [that day] — and maybe it's because I'm getting a little bit older — but as I came out of the grandstand and out across the racetrack, every one of the guys that were in that race stopped and hugged me and gave me a handshake,' Lukas told The Times after the race. Advertisement Read more: Seize the Grey earns wire-to-wire Preakness Stakes win on muddy track 'That meant more to me than any single thing. [Bob] Baffert, Kenny McPeek, right down the line.' Lukas did not get the nickname Coach because of his days as a basketball coach but because of the coaching tree he established during his tenure. Among those that were his assistants were Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, future Hall of Famer Brad Cox, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Mike Maker, Mark Hennig, Randy Bradshaw, George Weaver and Bobby Barnett. Among those Lukas was closest to, but never worked for, is Baffert. 'I asked him for a job one time out of high school, and he turned me down,' Baffert told The Times in 2018, while he was on his Triple Crown run with Justify. 'I tell him, 'I'm sure glad you turned me down because you'd be taking all the credit for this.' But he probably would have fired me after two weeks because he works way too hard.' Advertisement Lukas later introduced Baffert at his U.S. Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 'He told me everybody was laughing and kidding [when they heard I was inducting him,]' Lukas told The Times in 2018. 'They were saying he's not going to have Wayne do it because they thought we were rivals. Yet he came to me, and I said, 'Bob, I'll be honored to present you.' And I did.' 'The media portrayed us as rivals and everything, so we would go along with you guys and then we'd go to dinner later,' Lukas said of Baffert. 'We've been friends for a long time. I have great respect for his ability. He's got an excellent eye for a horse. He's one of the few guys in the sale that when I pick one out that I like, I know sure as hell he'll be bidding too.' Seize the Grey's trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with Bob Baffert, Imagination's trainer, after Lukas' horse won the Preakness Stakes in 2024. (Julia Nikhinson / Associated Press) In fact, this year at the Preakness Alibi Breakfast, an annual affair at Pimlico where trainers, owners and others tell stories and trade barbs about their career and horses, Lukas and Baffert hijacked the event with witty repartee and joking much to the delight of those in attendance. Their friendship was borne out as genuine. Advertisement Lukas' life on the racetrack had one significant downside, when his son and assistant, Jeff, was run over and permanently injured by a loose horse at Santa Anita in 1993. 'I have a phone with one of those long cords,' Lukas told The Times' Dwyre in 1999, 'and so, I was up and walking around and right near the door when it happened. I was the first one to get to him.' 'One of Lukas' Triple Crown prospects, Tabasco Cat, had bolted and was loose,' Dwyre wrote. 'Jeff Lukas, a veteran horseman well schooled in the procedures for such situations, had stepped in Tabasco Cat's path and was waving his arms. Horses always stop, or veer away. But this time... 'It's like when you meet somebody in a narrow hallway,' Lukas said. 'You go right and he goes right, and then you both go the other way. But eventually, one goes right and one left. Well, Jeff and the horse both went the same way.' Advertisement Read more: Preakness' training titans Bob Baffert and Wayne Lukas might have made a super team 'Witnesses say that the sound of Jeff Lukas' head hitting hard, compact ground after the collision could be heard several barns away. There was no blood, just an unconscious, badly injured 36-year-old man.' The next year, Jeff Lukas had recovered enough to return to the racetrack but it proved too difficult for him to work around horses safely. Jeff eventually moved to Oklahoma and lived in a home his father bought him until Jeff's death in 2016 at age 58. Santa Anita issued this statement on Sunday after learning of Lukas' death. Advertisement "Santa Anita joins the racing community in mourning the passing of D. Wayne Lukas. ... His on-track success was such that it was easy to overlook his outstanding horsemanship that we were lucky to often witness back at the barn, away from the spotlight." Funeral arrangements for Wayne Lukas were not immediately announced. Lukas is survived by his fifth wife, Laurie; grandchildren Brady Wayne Lukas and Kelly Roy; and great-grandchildren Johnny Roy, Thomas Roy, Walker Wayne Lukas and Quinn Palmer Lukas. Sign up for Essential California for the L.A. Times biggest news, features and recommendations in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Webster businesses rally together to help Coach employees after fire
WEBSTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The staff of a Webster bar is continuing to do what they can to get both their location and their employees back up and running after a fire in March shut down operations. Sunday, neighboring businesses rallied together to help make some headway. 'This is what happens when a village like Webster… when something like that happens.' The Coach Owner Fritz Sierk told News 8 Sunday. Sierk said it was hard to see his business of 35 years, that Webster bar called The Coach, burn back in March when a fire forced him to close down. He showed News 8 around the bar days after the devestation. 'The fire is pretty rare anyways, in something like that, and we are rebuilding, which matters, you know, if it wasn't rebuilding, I'm not sure all this would happen too much,' he said. It was also a shock to long time bartender Mike Beyo. 'Tough pill to swallow,' Beyo said. 'It was tough, but we're pulling through.' But they aren't doing so alone. The Webster Business Improvement District turned one of The Coach's neighboring businesses, The Harmony House, into a fundraiser for the employees. President Elena Bernardi said it is the least they can do. 'The coach is one of the kingpins,' Bernardi said. 'They do so much for us, and we just wanted to help them in return.' The fundraiser, packed with beer, popcorn, and giveaways, stayed on theme of what The Coach offers to Webster. Sierk called it a testament to community support. 'It's pretty amazing for a little village bar. It's incredible. How many people come out spend money supporting the employees of the coach. And it's, it's it's humbling,' Sierk said. Two previous fundraisers raised nearly $3,000 and $8,000, respectively. Sierk's current goal to be able to spread amongst his employees: $50,000. Find out how to get involved here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
This genteel riverside town is the A-list's best-kept secret
Tree-lined roads festooned with bunting, a coxless four gliding along the Thames, a lively cricket match in the sunshine: the opening scenes of The Marlow Murder Club's second season, aired in March 2025, paint the picture of a sociable, laid back town emanating countryside charm and community spirit. And, for once, fact is not so far from fiction. With its hanging baskets, neat streets, lush riverbanks and Georgian architecture, Marlow was last year officially deemed 'Best Kept Village' in Buckinghamshire – a hotly contested title vied for annually since 1957. Add Michelin stars, upmarket shopping and excellent pubs to the mix, and you have the perfect spot for an exceptionally genteel weekend break. Here, we help craft the perfect sojourn in this quaint, picturesque corner of Buckinghamshire, set between Henley and Maidenhead on the River Thames – complete with Michelin stars, meandering strolls and even a dash of retail therapy. A rich pedigree Tucked away on the border of South Bucks, Marlow is a town with a history that dates back to the Domesday Book. By 1227, it had received a market charter from King Henry III, adding Chipping to its name to signify market town status (though – unlike Chippings Campden and Norton of the Cotswolds – it has since dropped this qualifier). If Marlow's suspension bridge seems familiar, that's because it served as a prototype for designer William Tierney Clark's later, grander project, the striking Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Budapest. Look out, too, for a blue plaque identifying the house where Mary Shelley finished Frankenstein, and for a bronze statue in Higginson Park; the UK's most decorated rower, Sir Steve Redgrave, was born in this riverside town where rowing heritage runs deep. Unexpected culinary credentials Marlow's charms have lured various high-profile names – including residents Ricky Gervais and Chris Evans – but there's a case to be made that it's celebrity chef and restaurateur, Tom Kerridge, who has most shaped its current identity. His four Marlow restaurants – all opened within the last decade – are widely credited with helping the town achieve its current status as a honeypot for destination-diners, while his brainchild Pub in the Park, the UK's largest touring food and music festival, has provided plenty of street cred. The two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers – a cosy, unassuming pub opened by Kerridge 20 years ago – is still the star of the show, though The Coach (another, more affordable Michelin-starred pub), private dining room The Shed, and The Butcher's Tap (a traditional butcher's with, no surprise, another pub) have helped to cement Kerridge's influence. Others have followed suit. Atul Kochhar, another established local chef, serves up excellent Northern Indian food at Vaasu, and Southern dishes at Sindhu. For Mediterranean fare, there's Lavvin on West Street (its garden is particularly lovely), while Brvtvs on Spittal Street is all pizzas, cocktails and DJs playing vinyl, and – just down the road – you'll find Vietnamese at Suum Kitchen alongside the popular Oarsman gastropub. Locals will also tell you to stop by Strawberry Grove for its excellent cakes; The Vanilla Pod, run by chef-proprietor Michael Macdonald, for its tasting menus; M Café; The Duke pub; and Rebellion Beer Co, a local brewery with popular Members's Nights and a great shop. Get outdoors If you prefer a buzz, plan your visit to coincide with one of Marlow's many popular annual events: Pub in the Park, for example, which takes place in May; the Henley regatta and festival in June; the Marlow Carnival in September; or even the Santa Fun Run fundraiser and Christmas lights. This is, however, a delightful place to be when all is calm and quiet, particularly on a warm summer's day, when locals are going about their business or messing about on the river. It is a town made for riverside strolls, and there's even a lovely circular 10km route which takes in Higginson Park, Temple Mill Island, Hurley (stop at The Olde Bell, one of England's oldest inns, for a drink) and Bisham Woods. In spring, much of the way is blanketed with resplendent bluebells, and is said to have been the inspiration for the wildwood in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Take to the boutiques There is no shortage of opportunities for shopping here, between the neatly curated roster of high-end high-street brands (Missoma, The White Company, Mint Velvet, Jigsaw, Space NK) and impressive line-up of independent spots (most of which exist largely to court the well-heeled weekender). Cases in point include Un Dimanche a Paris, which also has boutiques in Henley and Barbados, Susie Watson Designs's quintessentially English interiors – which can also be found in the likes of Salcombe and Tunbridge Wells – and cult Aussie brand R.M. Williams, worn by Margot Robbie, Cillian Murphy and Alexa Chung. It's all very quiet luxury – even if you haven't hit double digits yet (I defy any parent to leave Angel & Rocket or Scamp and Dude empty handed). Leave time for a stop at Home Barn, a rustic furniture and homeware haven, with an equally enticing farm shop next door. Spend the night If you want to be able to meander home on foot after an evening feast, The Hand & Flowers has 15 rooms across four cottages in town (from £325 per night, including a full cooked breakfast at the restaurant). If proximity is a less pressing concern, opt for the impossibly grand Danesfield House Hotel & Spa – where George and Amal Clooney threw their post-wedding bash – three miles up the road (from £249 per night).
