Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Ruhland.
Hi Thomas, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always loved food and the process of cooking it. I have been around the industry for the majority of my life in one way or another. Cooking is my “love language” if you will. I love the celebration of relationships through the sharing of food and the breaking of bread. It is the foundation of community. That said, I was once given a case of puff pastry. I loved exploring what I could do with it. Over several years, and many iterations, I created my own version of Apple strudel. In 2002, after much encouragement from family and friends, I partnered with one of my brothers and started Ruhland’s Strudel Haus as a concession trailer. We made and sold Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Spinach Feta Artichoke, and Chicken Marinara Studels as options at a number of outdoor events we participated in. Over the next several years the business morphed into a “take and bake” business where we produced our strudel and froze it before baking it and making it available in many Farmer’s Markets in the Twin Cities.
10 years ago my son Noah joined me. He has become the creative mastermind and the production lead, whereas I have been the face of the company and director of sales and marketing. Now, in our 21st year, we have established a home delivery program, a fundraising element, and wholesale customers. Most importantly, we continue to provide a unique, scratch-made, hand-crafted product unequaled in our category of convenient food options for our customers.
Unique to our business is the relationships we cherish with our customers. 80 percent of our business is “producer-to-consumer”. The interaction between our kitchen and our customer is vital to our growth as we honor the opinion and feedback of those who purchase our product.
We have both sweet and savory options, 50 in all which rotate as we are able.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
21 years of challenges and successes. The most difficult part of the journey thus far has been to get into our own production space where we are able to decide our own direction without the micro-managing of a shared-use kitchen manager. In 2021, with the participation of 2 partners, we were able to build a production kitchen that serves all our needs. We are now able to produce 24/7 if we wish.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ruhland’s Strudel Haus?
We make sweet and savory strudel. Ruhland’s Strudel Haus is the only hand-made, freezer-to-oven strudel maker in the midwest. We make each of our products from scratch with one exception, we have our all butter puff pastry custom-made for us by a local producer. My son is a purest, he doesn’t cut corners- makes his own stock for the gravy of our Chicken Pot Pie Strudel. He and our staff roast the vegetables, bakes the meats. Few, if any, shortcuts.
I am most proud of my production staff and those who sell for us at the local Markets. They are the backbone and the reason we have celebrated success.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Founded in 2002, Ruhland’s Strudel Haus is a maker of fabulous sweet and savory strudel. We are inspired by the belief that food is one of life’s celebrations and is integrated in our relationship with the Earth and one another. Our mission is to provide a unique experience of the common union. Our hope is that what we make will gather people around the table to celebrate the love and community found in family and friends. Our goal is to create food that brings joy and delight.
Pricing:
- $17-$25
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thestrudelhaus.com
- Facebook: @thestrudelhaus
