Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Albertson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am Chef Julie Albertson, owner and Chef at The Texas Pie Company. I started baking at a very young age, winning my first award at 12 at a County Fair. I started baking professionally at 23, opening my first bakery in Wimberley Texas 1986. Using my Grandmothers cherished recipes, I set out with a rolling pin and a dream.
Growing up with my Grandmother’s guidance in the kitchen I learned to appreciate quality ingredients and the joy of creating and making people happy with food. Opening Texas Pie Company was as much about honoring my Family legacy as it was about sharing that love with the community. Adapting and sharing my recipes marked a pivotal moment in my life, as each pie we serve connects the past with the present, inviting customers to savor history and heart in every bite we bake.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been struggles, and not all have been the smoothest paths I could have taken. There are still times that I question my choices. From freezers going out during the holidays to clogged sinks and over running toilets. After 40 years in the kitchen there are many stories that still make me cringe. One such cringe worthy story, I bought a 10K Oven from Ebay. The oven was delivered laying on its back, with no way to put it upright, it was not in good repair and did not work. So, I essentially bought a boat anchor that could not be returned and had to be sold for scrape.
We have had ovens catch fire, stoves explode (no injuries), 100 pie batches that were mixed wrong, to any myriad of small struggles.
Financing is always a struggle, we watch food prices daily. So our struggle is to maintain our quality and standards but still stay within our cost margins.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Texas Pie Company represents more than just a bakery; it has influenced baking standards across the state. With our commitment to authentic recipes and fresh local ingredients has inspired fellow bakers to elevate their practices. Our dedication to quality is often highlighted through may media outlets.
We are known for our Pie, Pie, Pie. We offer over 20 flavor options. Pecan pie is our number 1 seller, selling thousands during the year.
We offer more than pie. We cater events 10-600 with full buffet service or presentation grilling. We also have sandwiches, casseroles to take and bake, daily hot lunch specials, and an ever evolving selection of small baked treats. There is seated dining in at the bakery for up to 70 guests.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
The term “Luck” has played a significant role in the longevity of my company. But, not all luck is luck, I have dedicated my life to my company with hard work and never saying no to potential opportunities. There have been miracle moments in my career. For example, finding our location in Kyle. After years of searching we found the perfect location for our retail bakery. The seller chose to owner finance the property and only asked what I could afford to spend for down payment. He saw something in me and chose to have faith in my vision. Luck or miracle, we are still here 26 years later.
Pricing:
- Pies $30/lg $6.50 5 inch pie
- Lunches $9-15
- Casseroles $24 and $37
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texaspiecompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texaspieco
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/texaspiecompany
