By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
I was shocked and a little sad to learn on Facebook that Aniko and Michael Schueller were looking to sell their pastry shop, Mishi’s Strudel.
The comment thread is full of local regret. “Say it ain’t so” and expressions of hope that the shop will retain its Hungarian cuisine and homespun character in the hands of a buyer.
“Bittersweet to be sure,” the Schuellers posted for their Facebook followers. “We love how this wonderful community has welcomed us over the past 8-plus years, and we love all the close friends we’ve made just by sharing our passion for delicious Hungarian food, culture and most of all, flaky strudel, in our little cafe.”
The Schuellers described the closing as a transition into their next adventure. I, for one, will miss their Arabica coffee and the warm smells of cinnamon, vanilla nut and almond.
Michael Schueller, for whom the cafe is named (Mishi is the Hungarian derivation of Michael), recounted taking his aunt’s traditional Hungarian strudel recipes and updating them for today’s more health conscious consumer.
“[In the old days] there was no concern about healthiness,” he told me. “The recipes were extensively modified. My wife, Aniko, is very well-versed in health foods. She reads a lot of health food articles. I’m not allowed to eat bad things.”
Said the biggest changes to his aunt’s traditional recipes include dropping the use of coloring in the cherries and replacing shortening with butter.
Recognizing the fan base they have built, the Schuellers trademarked their logo and name to allow for the possibility that Mishi Strudel could live on beyond them.
Strudel lovers can only hope a buyer is found that is committed to preserving Mishi’s authenticity. But even then, it may not be the same.
More Entrée News on page 16 of www.RandomLengthsNews.com