The bagel is going west. Following years of sold-out success in New York, BagelFest presented by King Arthur Baking Company, is expanding to the West Coast with the launch of BagelFest West. Taking place Sunday, April 12, at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion, in partnership with the Jewish Food Lab of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, the inaugural West Coast edition marks a major milestone for the fast-growing event that has transformed the beloved everyday carb into a cultural and industry phenomenon. Hosted in Koreatown, the culinary epicenter of Los Angeles, BagelFest West is expected to attract 800 to 1,000 attendees and feature 30 exhibitors, uniting bagel artisans, bakers, food entrepreneurs and bagel lovers. The venue’s dramatic, multi-level architecture further sets the stage for an unforgettable gathering.
“A global bagel boom is underway, and the West Coast has fully arrived,” says Sam Silverman. “BagelFest West is to celebrate the artisans who are breaking the outdated idea that world-class bagels can only be made with New York water.”
Networking
The BagelFest West experience will unfold across an entire weekend, beginning with an Industry Mixer on Saturday, April 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., hosted at the landmark Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Designed as an intimate networking evening, the mixer will bring together bagel makers, bakers, shops and industry leaders to break bread, share ideas and make meaningful connections ahead of the main event.
On Sunday, BagelFest West will feature two distinct sessions designed to serve both the trade and the public. A morning industry-only session from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will convene chefs, buyers, and bagel-adjacent brands for focused networking, education and curated tastings. The afternoon public session, running from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., will open the doors to bagel enthusiasts of all ages, offering an immersive celebration of flavor and community with culinary panels and unlimited bagel and schmear sampling throughout the event.
Throughout the day, guests will experience a dynamic and interactive program featuring a curated bagel showcase from top shops, themed discussions led by expert bakers and industry voices, live demonstrations, and friendly competitions that highlight excellence across categories, including: Best of the West, Best Bagel, Best Sandwich, Most Creative, Rising Star, and Schmear of the Year. Winning a top BagelFest award has helped propel regional brands into the national culinary spotlight, including PopUp Bagels (Best Bagel winner in 2021 and 2022, now scaling toward 300 locations nationwide) and Starship Bagel (Best Bagel winner in 2023 and 2025, Schmear of the Year in 2024), which has since become a two-time James Beard Award nominee and been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri.” Attendees will have the opportunity to participate directly by voting alongside a distinguished panel of judges that includes James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred chefs, restaurant owners and cookbook authors.
A dedicated kids’ section will offer hands-on, creative activities throughout the afternoon, including make-your-own aprons, bagel themed coloring stations, and chef hat decorating, ensuring younger guests are actively engaged while families explore the festival together. Toby L. Neiman, Associate Executive Director and Head of Strategic Programming, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, says, “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.”
BagelFest West is produced by BagelUp, the experiential food company founded by Sam Silverman, New York’s Bagel Ambassador. What began in 2019 as a small gathering of 300 bagel enthusiasts in Bushwick has grown into the premier trade and consumer event for the bagel industry, helping bagel brands gain national recognition, funding, and expansion opportunities. In addition to the festival, BagelUp produces year-round bagel-centric experiences including hands-on bagel baking classes and curated bagel tours.
