Peckish for Poffertjes? The Student Business Bringing a Taste of the Netherlands to St Andrews

As I walked into Rector’s Cafe to meet the creator of one of St Andrews’ newest student food vendors, I hoped that there was more to poffertjes (also known as mini Dutch pancakes) than what meets the eye.

Having stumbled upon The Wee Dutchie, the new student business producing these sweet treats, through a hiring advert, I wanted to find out more. I met with fifth-year student Julia Roeterdink and the recently graduated Sophie Lai, the brains behind the new business. 

With a wide variety of student events to attend in St Andrews, the food can be just as important as the atmosphere. We’ve all fancied a late night snack at the end of a ball or fashion show and are left desperately searching for the nearest food vendor. “You get the classics like Screaming Peacock or Saints Sizzle,” said Roeterdink; however, “the sweet treats lack.” 

The Wee Dutchie has set out to remedy this. They sell mini poffertjes, which are based on the traditional recipe of buckwheat flour, yeast, milk, and eggs. The pancakes date back to the eighteenth century, when they were often used as communion wafers in Dutch monasteries. The word ‘poffertjes’ comes from the Dutch word ‘pof’, which translates to ‘puff’, and describes the light and airy texture of the pancakes. 

With toppings ranging from the traditional butter and a dusting of sugar, to the more modern Biscoff and M&Ms, there’s many variations to choose from. According to Roeterdink, their prepaid package provides “as much [poffertjes] as I can make in an hour.” Essentially, an ‘all the pancakes you can eat’ option. 

Keen to keep the entire operation student-led, Lai and Roeterdink have now hired eight student employees for future bookings and events. “Our Agnes Blackadder Hall event was a highlight, as we didn’t expect so many to turn up,” said Roeterdink after The Wee Dutchie attended a Freshers’ Week event in September. “A big target would be to get into more hall events,” as “it’s nice for the university to offer students something for free.” 

Assimilating into a new culture at university can often be a struggle. “I’ve been here for five years and I haven’t met a single fully Dutch person who’s grown up in the Netherlands,” said Roeterdink. Additionally, despite being such an international university, St Andrews lacks a Dutch society. “You definitely feel disconnected from the culture,” said Roeterdink. The stall gives her the opportunity to speak Dutch to members of the public and meet people who have a similar connection to the Netherlands. 

For Roeterdink, bringing her culture to St Andrews “is like sharing a little piece of home.” Although she grew up in Dubai, she feels very connected to her Dutch nationality and heritage. When she was younger, she would always bring poffertjes to international fairs. “Anytime you go to a Dutch market, you’ll see them.” 

At their first event at the St Andrews market, Roeterdink met many Dutch tourists who enjoyed explaining to those around them the story behind — and the correct way to pronounce — poffertjes. Roeterdink added, “It’s so wholesome to have people come up and ask, ‘Are any of you Dutch?’”

Although seemingly very rewarding, starting a business from scratch while pursuing their degrees has not been easy for the two entrepreneurs. “You come across a lot of barriers which aren’t that easy to cross.” Communication can often break down between students and potential clients, making it a challenge to maintain momentum. “The biggest hurdle is getting people to reply.”

“There are a lot of things in the background that you need to know about,” Roeterdink added, as well as “hidden costs that you wouldn’t expect would add up.” Her advice? “Get with HMRC ASAP. I’ve spent hours on the phone with them.” 

The two students also faced problems with product sourcing, given their Dutch origin. “In the beginning, the biggest challenge was creating the product,” said Roeterdink. Shipping Dutch batter wasn’t affordable following Brexit. During the early stages, they tried using an American-style fluffy pancake to see if it could provide an effective replacement. “For me, the taste wasn’t as good,” said Roeterdink. The current batter is Dutch, but shipping continues to cause problems. “It’s not perfect, but it’s the most accessible to us.”

Roeterdink’s business partner is now fully remote following graduation. However, Lai still “pops over for events” and remains responsible for all media engagement. This social media marketing is essential for starting a business, especially one aimed at students. The majority of engagement for The Wee Dutchie comes from social media, particularly reels on Instagram and Facebook. The reels provide an exciting insight into the services available, showcasing the different toppings and even the cooking process. With no prior experience in video editing, Lai has learnt to create content that fits The Wee Dutchie’s branding, taking inspiration from other food vendors and cafes.

“Instagram is a great diary, not only for Julia and I to document our journey, but for others to join along as well,” added Lai. The majority of people discover the brand through social media, promoting engagement amongst the student population. 

Keep an eye out for The Wee Dutchie at your next event. If you speak Dutch, say hello, and teach your friends how to properly pronounce poffertjes. I’m still trying. 

Image: Wikimedia Commons