Just about everyone in the Town of Highland knows Konrad Kovacs and his lovely wife Judit. Konrad told me that he thinks he was born a chef and all he ever wanted to do is cook for people. In addition to being a very skilled chef, Konrad has a keen sense of what we like to eat and Judit makes sure the menu is very reasonably priced, interesting and served with the utmost graciousness and hospitality. I spoke with Konrad and Judit at their cozy Yulan Country Store about how their business is doing during our current pandemic and how they came to set up shop in Highland.

Both Konrad and Judit come from the same small town in Hungary. “We both completed our culinary and food industry training there and then we met in a restaurant where we both were working, Konrad as a chef and I was a server” Judit told me. “In the year 2000 we came to America with just two suitcases and not much of anything else besides our big dreams. Because we were country people back in Hungary, we had no interest in New York City and we got restaurant jobs in Rockland County before coming up to Barryville to work in a Hungarian owned restaurant.”

Both of the Kovacs have worked in many of the local restaurants and have developed a loyal following of diners-this columnist included! In 2015 they bought the Yulan Country Store on Airport Road next to the Fire Station. “Coincidentally when we first came to Highland and Doreen Hanson owned the store, Konrad and I rented the apartment upstairs from the store and lived there for several years.”

In the beginning years of owning the Country Store both Konrad and I were working at Konrad's Kitchen and Grill at the Crossroads Restaurant and doing our catering business as well and it was very tough running the business at the Store, raising our three daughters (Sara, Esther and Lizzy) and working full time.” Judit told me, “so when the virus crises hit, and everything ground to a halt it allowed us some time to asses where we were as a family,” Judit said.

During the pandemic both Judit and Konrad have been feeling hopeful and working in the store full time along with their staff Sierra and Callie. Going forward, they have consolidated their two ongoing businesses, Konrad's Kitchen and Catering and the Yulan Country Store under one roof. “Even though we work many hours (Konrad about 80 hours per week and Judit 60 hours) the hours we are putting into the businesses is coming back to us so I don't mind all the hard work and we are a family business and the girls are here with us”

Nine year old Esther told me she is helping her dad with the dishes and assisting customers at the take out window. “The business is growing and it is so nice that people are being so supportive of our small local businesses” Judit told me.” The dinners have been doing well and it is a new menu category and Judit favorite is Konrad's goulash because it's delicious and he hand cuts the spaetzle.

Konrad also started a line of baked goods including muffins, pastries, cookies, brownies and several different kinds of freshly baked breads and rolls which have become very popular with our customers. Plans are underway for new signage, some outdoor café seating and expanding the dining seating into the Store's adjacent vacant space.

The Yulan Country Store still has their extensive breakfast (served all day) and lunch menu with the specials listed on their menus and posted on Facebook. With over 29 possible breakfast combinations and in addition to deli sandwiches and five lunch specials including at least three homemade soups there is something for everybody.

The dinner menu features nine entrees including the specials and four dessert selections. According to Judit “we take great pride in the food we prepare, and we want to be flexible to meet the demands and that is why we offer so many specials. We know these are tough times for everyone and we want to do what we can to help out.” I guess that is why last week Judit and Konrad along with the Can't Hurt Steel Foundation sent a big lunch down for all the employees of Peck's Market in Eldred as a gesture of their gratitude and acknowledgement of their being essential workers during the pandemic.

Before leaving our interview at the Yulan Country Store, I ordered a lamb dinner with all the fixings and bought one of their gift certificates for a friend which are available in any amount and have no expiration date.

According to the financial information site Investopedia, “the American dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk taking and hard work.” When I think about the leap of faith made by Judit and Konrad coming to America some twenty years ago with nothing but two suitcases and working so hard and not forgetting to contribute back to our community, this family is really an excellent example of what the American dream looks like today and many people could learn some valuable lessons from the Kovacs family. “We came here with nothing,” Judit told me, “and we are very grateful for everything we have achieved.”

The Yulan Country Store is located at 218 Airport Road and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner take outs Monday -Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 7 a.m. to 1: p.m. Deliveries are made between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Visit them on Facebook or call (845) 557-0425.