Tragedy didn’t stop Cosy Coo dream becoming reality

Beverly West and her late husband Tony planned to open a cafe together – she lost Tony to Covid in 2021, but has carried on with her son and daughter, writes Karla Sinclair

Beverly West and her husband Tony had “a dream and a plan” prior to his death. Beverly worked for the East of England Ambulance Service at Hemel Hempstead for almost two decades. Tony was also a paramedic and the couple met then married a few years later. They had hoped to take early retirement and open a cafe together, which was to be named The Cozy Coo.

But tragically, while on duty, Tony caught coronavirus and died in March 2021. They had been married for 15 years.

However, Beverly decided to continue with their plan with the help of her daughter Sarah West and son Darren MacPherson.

“After falling in love with the village (of Dufftown), The Cozy Coo was born,” Darren tells me.

In December, it opened its doors for the first time on Fife Street. It is also a gift shop that sells items made by Sarah, from mugs and bottle openers to photo slates, posters and ornaments.

Originally a team of three, the family have since brought in more staff “to cope with the surge in customers”.

“Our team at the moment stands at eight and they are from the village, which helps in the winter,” says Darren, who is head chef at the Dufftown cafe.

“We have become a hub for the community and a place to hide from the weather when the bus is late!”

Darren, originally from Edinburgh, has worked in the food industry since 2018.

He started out washing dishes in

The Three Sisters sports bar on the city’s Cowgate and quickly found his passion.

The 37-year-old said: “I worked and trained with the head chef there and took on the role of commis chef.

“Within the first two months, we decided that I should take on the street food stalls in The Three Sisters’ courtyard and, again, that sparked something extra.

“I grew from there, rising up to chef de partie and supervising the street food set-up.

“After Covid, they changed the bar into what it is today and I decided to set out and go alone. I opened FatBoyz Pizza on South Bridge, which is now closed, and street food vans as well.”

Today, he prepares a range of dishes at The Cozy Coo – including toasties,

We’ve become a hub for the community and a place to hide from weather when the bus is late

paninis, soups and classics such as macaroni cheese and fish and chips.

Beverly – who is also a fully qualified confectioner – is in charge of keeping the sweet treat counter stocked up, boasting a selection of products that cater for gluten-free and dairy-free customers.

Millionaire tarts, scones, cupcakes, cherry Bakewells and dairy-free lemon cake are some examples of what to expect.

The Dufftown cafe is open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. However, it stays open until 7pm on Fridays for its stone-baked pizza nights.

The Cozy Coo has welcomed many regular customers since opening, included four-legged ones.

“We are also dog-friendly, so have a few local regular pups and they all get a doggy sausage when they visit,” adds Darren.

“The best thing about opening the cafe is seeing how much choice it has given the community, and getting to know people in the village I now call home.”

Darren added: “The locals have been phenomenal in their support of our journey.”

FAMILY BUSINESS: Beverly West and son Darren.

A signature cup from The Cozy Coo and a selection of the cakes and bakes they serve. Pictures by Jason Hedges.