A friendship forged in frozen feasts

Friends Megan and Meg will have an ice cream flavour developed for them at Jannettas Gelateria in St Andrews after Owen (right) heard their story of visitng the cafe every Tuesday to spend time together as best friends.

Local businesses were invited to take part in the initiative which transforms school classrooms into mock-hotels for the day.

And after hearing a tale of firm friendship forged in their cafe, Jannettas Gelateria owner Owen Hazel and business bevelopment manager Charmaine Duthie made Bell Baxter pupils Megan Watson and Meg Clark an offer they couldn’t refuse.

Charmaine explained: “Niall Duncan, principal teacher employability and work experience, explained there were two sixth year prefects, Meg and Megan, who each and every Tuesday have a tradition after school of visiting Jannettas.

“After listening to their story I suggested that we should make a special ‘Meg & Megan’ ice cream flavour. ‘‘

The girls said: “We are really, really excited. It’s the best thing that’s happened to us this year. We can’t wait for everyone to try it. It will be our regular ice cream order after it is created!”

The St Andrews gelataria is going to produce the new flavour combining Megan’s favourite of white chocolate raspberry ripple and Meg’s choice of cookie dough as a celebration of friendship and the importance of taking time out with loved ones.

The girls meet every Tuesday and get the bus from Cupar to St Andrews to spend time together as best friends. Their cherished ‘chill time’ is spent in their chosen hang-out spot sharing their love of ice-cream. When done they both get the buses back home, Meg to Falkland, Megan to Auchtermuchty.

“It’s such a special time for the girls and all other students of their age,” explained Charmaine. “So we thought why not mark that spirit of friendship, loyalty and also the end of an era as the children prepare to move on to the next stage of their lives.”

“This event was also a great opportunity to quash any preconceived myths about the food, drink and hospitality industry,” Charmaine added. “We were uncertain what to expect but it was a hugely rewarding day meeting some of what could be the key drivers of the future for the industry and Fife.’’

Stephanie Wade, director of the Tennent’straining academy said: “Youth unemployment in Scotland currently sits at 14.3 percent. We’d like to help change that.

“We hope that the pupils involved will consider it as a career option once they have left school. The Scottish hospitality and tourism industry is world renowned, and we are dedicated to ensuring this standard is maintained through training the next generation of workforce.”