Hey Bagel of Seattle won Best Bagel at BagelFest West in Los Angeles, a showcase of the creativity and influence of West Coast bagel makers.
SEATTLE — A Seattle bagel shop has taken top honors at a major national food festival, with Hey Bagel winning Best Bagel at the inaugural BagelFest West in Los Angeles.
The competition brought together bakers from across the West Coast, but it was ultimately the Seattle-based shop that stood out, earning the top spot.
“We have had a great experience at BagelFest West. It’s been a ton of fun. We had a great reception from people. We’ve been able to bring hot bagels throughout the day, so that’s been a really nice treat. It’s been fun to meet such a great bunch of people,” said Andrew Rubinstein with Hey Bagel.
BagelFest West, presented by King Arthur Baking Company, drew more than 1,000 attendees to the Audrey Irmas Pavilion for a weekend of tastings, panels, and competitions celebrating bagel culture. The event expanded from its New York roots, highlighting both traditional techniques and new approaches to the classic food.
Judges evaluated entries on flavor, texture, originality, technical execution, and presentation, with a select group of participants competing across several categories.
2026 BagelFest West Winners:
- Best of the West: Rise Bagels (Irvine, CA)
- Best Bagel: Hey Bagel (Seattle, WA)
- Best Bagel – Yeasted: Boichik Bagels (Bay Area and Los Angeles)
- Best Sandwich: Belle’s Bagels, Delicatessen and Bar (Highland Park)
- Most Creative: Rise Bagel (Irvine, CA)
- Rising Star: Daniel’s Bagels (Culver City) and Mission Bagel (San Diego, CA)
- Schmear of the Year: Bella’s Bagels (Colorado Springs, CO)
Organizers say the winners reflect the growing influence and creativity of West Coast bagel makers, as the festival continues to expand into a national platform for the industry.
“We recognized the best bagel makers West of the Rockies. This group was selected from scores of applicants, with only 16% making the cut. They were chosen not just for the quality of their food, but for their creativity, character, and contributions to their communities,” said BagelFest Founder Sam Silverman.
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