Jennifer Schustek shares her pie recipes
By Holly Neumann
Jennifer Schustek, of the Crystal Café, recently made an appearance on WLUK’s Living with Amy.
The show features Amy Hanten, who shares cooking tips with her viewers.
Hanten often features guests to show off area talents.
“I received a message from the producer,” Schustek said. “At the time I was busy, so I sent a quick, ‘I’m busy, will get back to you later.’ After a moment I thought to myself, ‘Oh my gosh, what was I thinking?’”
She quickly accepted the offer to appear on the show.
“I was nervous at first,” she said. “But everyone was so friendly. I thought there would be 1,000 camera people and there was not. Everyone was fantastic. It was like I was having a conversation with Amy.”
For the show, Schustek made a raspberry/peach pie and also a banana coconut pie.
“They wanted us to make some summer pies and raspberry/peach is one of my favorites,” she said. “I thought the banana coconut was a good summertime cream pie to make as well.”
It was a little difficult for her to explain how to make a pie because Schustek does not follow a recipe.
“I have been baking pies for so long, I just know what goes into them,” she said. “I grab a little of this, add a little of that. When it looks right, I know it is done.”
How does she feel about her new found fame?
“On my way home, we stopped in Shiocton,” said Schustek. “A lady there recognized me from the show and told me she was going home to make a pie. I told her if it does not turn out, she should stop by the café to try some of ours.”
Even with all the attention, Schustek still does not consider herself a baker.
“I could not make a cake to save my life,” she said. “But pie on the other hand, I grew up doing this. This is what I do. This is what I know.”