Conversation with chef Irena Zejda

Irena and Denny Zejda, owners of the Old Europe Bistro in Naples Walk Plaza, have been married for 35 years and still enjoy each other's company — at work and at home. Irena is the chef and Denny takes care of the restaurant's guests.

Education: I have a hospitality and restaurant degree. Denny and I went to the same school.

Where are you from? The Czech Republic. We had a restaurant in the German Alps for more than 20 years.

How did you settle in Naples? Our son was working here, and we came to visit often. We liked the weather and the area. I won a green card in the lottery, and we decided to sell our restaurant and come here. It took us a year to find this bistro, and we have been here for two years."

What is your specialty? Everything. I love to cook and use my mother's and grandmother's recipes.

What is the hardest part of your job? Nothing is hard, but if I must say, it is the cleaning up, and getting ready for the next day — making sure everything is perfect. The cooking is easy, it's the before and after.

Do you cook at home? No, we eat at the restaurant because we are here together. On our day off, Monday, we try all the different restaurants in town. But I did make Christmas cookies for my sons.

What utensil should every home have? It is easy: your hands. You can do everything with your hands.

Photo by Tracy Boulian, Daily News

Irena and Denny Zejda.

Irena shared her recipe for apple strudel. (She gave me a slice and it is delicious.)

Dough ingredients

7 ounces flour

8 tablespoons warm water (approximately)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vinegar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preparation

Mix ingredients in a bowl.

Knead on a board into a smooth, silky dough. Let sit for at least half an hour.

Spread a large, soft cloth on work surface. Dust with flour and roll out the dough on it.

Filling

2 ounces butter

3 1/2 ounces plain bread crumbs

2 pounds apples, peeled and sliced

3 ounces sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 ounces raisins

2 ounces chopped walnuts

Preparation

Melt butter and add bread crumbs. Sauté until light brown. Cool and then sprinkle over dough.

Place thick layer of apples over bread crumb layer, sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, raisins and chopped nuts.

Roll up strudel.

Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a pre-heated, 350-degree oven for 30-40 minutes. Until golden.

Dust with powdered sugar and serve, hot or cold.

Old Europe Bistro is located at Naples Walk Plaza, 2464 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, 254-9690, www.oldeuropebistro.com.