Restaurants & Bars
A Festival Dedicated To Bagels Is Coming To LA
BagelFest has become a major New York event for bagel lovers and the industry alike. Now, it's coming to LA for the first time ever.
LOS ANGELES, CA — BagelFest is coming to Los Angeles for the first time in April.
The festival, which is dedicated to the beloved breakfast staple, started with modest beginnings in New York City in 2019 and has since grown into a major trade and consumer event for the bagel industry, according to organizers.
This year, the event will be expanding to the West Coast for the first time with BagelFest West, set for April 12 at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Koreatown.
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"A global bagel boom is underway, and the West Coast has fully arrived," producer Sam Silverman said. "BagelFest West is to celebrate the artisans who are breaking the outdated idea that world-class bagels can only be made with New York water."
The day will begin with an industry-only session will will convene chefs, buyers, and bagel-adjacent brands for networking, education and curated tastings.
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The public will be invited to the event from 1 to 5 p.m.. It'll feature showcases from top bagel shops, discussions led by industry leaders, live demonstrations, kids activities and, of course, tastings.
A competition will highlight bagel excellence across various categories: Best of the West, Best Bagel, Best Sandwich, Most Creative, Rising Star, and Schmear of the Year.
Attendees will be able to participate in voting alongside a panel of judges that will include James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred chefs, restaurant owners and cookbook authors.
The LA event is produced by BagelUp in partnership with Jewish Food Lab of Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
"BagelFest West aligns beautifully with the Jewish Food Lab's mission to use food as a gateway to culture and connection. By welcoming families into the experience, the festival turns culinary exploration into a multigenerational conversation," Toby L. Neiman of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple said.
Tickets start at $65. Attendees can use the code EARLYBAGEL for 18% off, while supplies last. More information is available on the BagelFest website.
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