Being the Candle: Pies & Quiches at Last!

IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED!!!!

SHE'S READY TO OPEN!!!!

AND SHE HAS!!!!!!!!!

You know when you've waited for something for so long because you KNOW it's going to happen, you just don't know when? For YEARS my Aunt Karen has been dabbling with one of life's greatest mysteries: What do I want to do?! I have grown up eating the greatest foods and baked goods over a quarter of a century. My Aunt Karen, as I have mentioned to almost every person I know, is a Renaissance Woman.

Back in the 1500s during the Renaissance, a man would be known as a Renaissance Man which was a term that described them as a jack of all trades. They could do everything and anything, and knew everything about anything! That's my Aunt Karen. She is extremely talented and is the ultimate IDEA WOMAN. You need something done, she'll figure out the best efficient way to get it done.

This is the woman who works hard at every single thing she does. Whether it's tearing down a wall, landscaping her garden, putting up a back splash in her kitchen, tiling floor for someone, creating a new recipe that has people gushing all over it, to fixing toys and broken trophies, so speckling a wall -- bottom line, the woman has talent!

She is also very regimented in her projects. She doesn't feel like she is, but if she just stepped outside herself for a second, she would realize he applies her organizational skills in every part of her life. I always called Aunt Karen like our own Mary Poppins, we always had the most fun and magical adventures.

But the real magic for Aunt Karen is her baking. Years and years ago, my grandfather, her father, who passed away before I could ever meet him, told my Aunt Karen something. He told her to over the years, certain things that you really need for the things you do, when you get the chance buy them, and over time when it is time for you to have your own place, you will already have it all.

Aunt Karen's cold case filled with all her made from scratch goodies!

The dry case has scones and muffins made right in her shop!

Preparing the Quiches for the customers!

Grandpa Fred was brilliant in so many ways. But I think his brilliance went further here whether my Aunt Karen knows it or not. He saw early on Aunt Karen loved and bake and was GOOD at it. I truly believe he knew she needed her own place as in BAKERY, not necessarily a home. Don't get me wrong! Aunt Karen's home always has her baking things and the baking the family and friends have been SPOILED over the years with the most amazing treats.

Back in 2008 Aunt Karen began to work at a catering place in Tenafly, NJ. She and I used to go to some of the ritziest places for catering parties and food, and great menus and had lots of fun. The business was okay, but that mind of hers was going and she had incredible ideas of making things better. The business incorporated some, but not all and certainly not the way she would have done it. She did help the company make a lot of money. But I remember telling her then in 2008 "Aunt Karen, you can definitely do all this for yourself."

She was let go from the job and an opportunity came up at a catering house. She was to be a third partner of this catering house. The original owner was failing in the business, and a second partner came in and did reconstruction and cook. Aunt Karen with her ideas, menus, and baking came in and helped pick the business up. Me, my best friend, and a few others would work as wait staff at the time in 2009-2010. Again she brought the business a great amount of money and we were hoping she can make it her own! But the main owner did not want to continue and she couldn't incorporate what she wanted to do. I reminded her, it was just time to do something on her own!

The next stop was at a market where the owner had her run the baking. She would do some treats and cookies, and small things and sell on her own to people and people ranted and raved of course. The owner was also a very good mentor and would push the envelope in her pies and tarts as she began to create even more ideas in her baking and recipes, which are CONSTANTLY being innovated and improved.

The scones are perfect size and delicious!

The best Chocolate Chip cookies ever!

Don't those muffins look absolutely delicious!?

Once again, she was making someone else money but it wasn't her own. That business eventually left and a farmer's market took over. She ran it like it was her own, but it wasn't. She ran baking goods, as well as deli, and would have ideas, but in the end she was only an employee. She thought at one point of going into business with the owner elsewhere but circumstances changed. Then finally, she decided it was time.

FINALLY! The long awaited bakery is here! It's been a seven year process, but debuting in Park Ridge, New Jersey is Aunt Karen's bakery PIES & QUICHES!!! I am reminded of Mrs. Garrett in the Facts of Life when she opened her gourmet shop! LOL! I am so proud of my Aunt Karen and thrilled. I am also with the rest of her fan base saying "IT'S ABOUT TIME!"

It's a perfect sized shop, set up just right. She sells her Black and white cookies, scones, Apple Pies, Pear and Plum, Chocolate Mousse pies, Apple Pecan Pies, different types of cookies, lemon bars, quiches of all kinds, and all made from scratch! IT IS HOLIDAY TIME!! You should head on over to her bakery and stock up for the family and prepare for the Holidays! Thanksgiving, Hanukkuh, Christmas, New Years, parties, brunches, you name it!

It's not far at all, and in a great location on Kinderkamack Road in Park Ridge. You can follow her on Instagram and see more pictures of her delicious treats, and also on her Facebook Page Pies & Quiches! She's been open for almost two weeks and the people who have walked in have raved about her treats to a point where its ovewhelming! And rightfully so. Grandma Cyn lives in town and keeps getting phone calls about how wonderful everything is from her neighboring friends! She's so proud as well, but she made it clear she will NOT work there! LOL!!!

Aunt Karen, no one is more proud than I. I know you will be and continue to be a huge success. Truth is, you always have been. I know there were times where you may have felt lost and not knowing where you were going with all this. But your fans always knew. And remember those people who believe in you, it reminds you what you can do and why you're doing it. Have fun with it all, and enjoy doing what you love to do for YOU!!!!! (BOWS)

PIES & QUICHES

133 Kinderkamack Road

Park Ridge, NJ 07656

201-746-6251