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NYC may be renowned for bagels and bagel culture, but Los Angeles has made its mark in recent years and now the city is hosting a festival to celebrate some of the best bagels in the world. After years of sold-out success in New York, BagelFest lands on the West Coast on Sunday, April 12, giving you the opportunity to carbo-load and take a deep-dive into the world of bagels.
Taking place in the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Koreatown, Bagelfest West embraces L.A.’s reputation as a place where culinary rules get rewritten. And yes, that includes the bagel. What was once considered sacred New York territory is now being reimagined by a new wave of bakers, chefs and even former tech workers, all experimenting with fermentation, flour blends and bold flavors. Bagelfest West brings it all together in one spot.
The weekend kicks off with an industry-only mixer on Saturday night, designed for chefs, founders and media to trade ideas before the main event. The morning of the festival is also dedicated to industry insiders, but Sunday afternoon is where the real fun begins. That afternoon, the public is invited in to sample some of the best bagels in the region, learn more about bagels and cast a vote for your favorite.
There will be expert panels for bagel nerds, like one that explores what actually makes a great bagel, from dough chemistry to crust texture and another that asks a more existential question: what is a California bagel, anyway? Competitions in categories like Best Bagel, Best Sandwich and Schmear of the Year bring serious stakes, judged by a lineup that includes James Beard winners, cookbook authors and some of the most obsessive bagel experts around. There will also be live demos and a family-friendly kids zone.
But attendees are the real winners, as a ticket includes unlimited samples of bagels from a lineup of bagel standouts that includes Belle's, Boichik, Hank's, Rise and many, many more, including bagel-related foods and beverages. Instead of waiting in line at any of these places on a typical day, you can get your fill all at once. And with your input, the best bagel winner will be crowned. Find out more and get tickets on the BagelFest website.
What: Bagelfest West
When: Sunday, April 12, 1pm to 5pm
Where: Audrey Irmas Pavilion, 3643 Wilshire Blvd.
Tickets: Starting at $65