January 2023 Bagel Buzz

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2022 was an all around incredible year for bagels. Global demand continues to grow significantly, and new shops are opening up left and right as a result. The popularity of bagels showed no signs of slowing down, as the diverse flavors and endless topping options means there's the perfect combination for everyone. Savory or sweet, toasted or untoasted, scooped, flagel, on its own or as a sandwich…with dozens of flavors of bagels, cream cheeses, and toppings to choose from, bagels allow each and every person to have a truly distinct favorite (yes, even blueberry bagels.)

For the BagelFest team, 2022 was busier than ever: the
3rd Annual Brooklyn BagelFest was a smashing success with 35 vendors and over 2,000 attendees, we ran 38 NYC Bagel Tours with a 100% 5/5 ratings, launched this monthly Bagel Buzz newsletter and grew to over 1,500 subscribers, and interviewed almost 50 guests on our weekly Instagram Live Bagel Buzz series! Plus, I took the leap and quit my corporate job to focus on the bagel business full time. You can find my full 2022 BagelFest Year in Review here.

Overall, it was a great year for bagel lovers and the industry as a...hole? Whole? Below you'll find the 10 Most-Read Bagel Stories from 2022. Let's keep on rolling into an amazing 2023!

-Sam Silverman, Founder of BagelFest

Best Bagels in NYC! Top Highlights from Brooklyn BagelFest

Calling all competitive eaters to take part in the Bagel Eating
Competition, sponsored by Bagel Boss.

How many Bagel Boss plain bagels can you eat in 8 minutes? The winner will take home $500!

LEARN MORE

NYC Bagel Tours is taking part in NYC Must-See Week. Book 2-for-1 tix on tours taking place between January 17 to February 12! Join us on a journey through the bustling streets of New York City, sampling the best bagels the city has to offer.

Reservations open Jan 10th, limited spots available.
Don't miss this limited time deal!

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NYC Must-See Week is a proprietary program of NYC & Company, Inc.

The Bagel Buzz is a weekly interview series about the most interesting buzz in the bagel world, featuring bagel experts, shop owners, bakers, and more.

Hosted on Instagram Live every Thursday evening at 5:30pm EST (usually)

  • Bagel Tawk - Harvey Leeds & Justin Shukat, Co-Founders (1/5): A couple of music industry legends, this formidable duo have reviewed over 200 bagel shops. They know dough - do you?


  • Potluck with Ali Rosen - Ali Rosen, Host (1/12): Ali Rosen is the Emmy and James Beard Award nominated host of Potluck with Ali Rosen on NYC Life. She is also the author of the cookbooks Modern Freezer Meals and Bring It!


  • Fysh - Zoya Biglary, Owner (1/19): Zoya is the creator of a plant-based, raw fish replacement for sushi, ceviche, and even bagels with lox!

  • Spread Bagelry - Brooks Tanner, COO (12/8): Hear about the management philosophy that’s helped Spread scale to 10 locations, why bagels is such a great industry to work in, and more.

  • Gefilteria - Liz Alpern, Co-Founder/Co-Owner (12/15): We discuss carp in bathtubs and the history of the bagels, plus a special surprise cameo.

  • Bross Bagels - Larah Bross, Owner (12/29): From Alan Cumming’s sandwich, the new “holetel,” and every hole in between, this bagel buzz is anything but HOLEsome.

Full interviews can be watched at @bagelfest under "Reels"

  • National Gluten-Free Day (1/13) - Look out for our collab with @glutenfreeglobetrotter as she and Sam uncover the best spots to get a gf bagel in NYC.

  • National Bagel Day (1/15) - One of our favorite days of the year! This year, we’re celebrating with the first-ever BagelFest Winter Games. Hope to see you there!

  • National Hot Sauce Day (1/22) - We’re on fire for this Everything Bagel Hot Sauce by Secret Handshake Food Co.

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