'We are over the moon': Northern Ireland bagel maker heads to New York for major BagelFest
Bodega Bagels will take its hand-crafted, locally sourced bagels to the international festival in November after being selected from more than 100 applicants
Hand crafted bagels, unique round breads with a hole, from Belfast will be experienced at a major festival in New York later in the year.
Bodega Bagels, founded by Steve Orr and wife Kirsty in 2021 in their garage will be taking part in this year’s BagelFest in November at Citifields, New York city, a first for the company and Northern Ireland.
“We are one of the few international competitors selected, as over 100 applied, so we are over the moon. We will be making a few hundred of our bagels, cream cheese, and sandwiches, and competing in a few different categories.
“The event will be massive with more than 2,000 people attending, and we have already been featured by TimeOut magazine and a few other international publications. I also think they get quite a few celebrities, who attend or judge,” Steve says.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing a taste of Belfast bagels to New York in November.”
He adds: “Our current challenge is getting all our ingredients to America so we can use what we use here for our range of bagels, rather than buying American alternatives. Specifically, we want to use Compsey cream cheese (as we think all other attendees will be using Philadelphia, and our own Neills Flour from Belfast.
“We are aiming to champion the local produce we use on the international stage. BagelFest really is a unique global business occasion.”
A FoodNI/Taste of Ulster member, Bodega Bagels, which is based in the Banana Block on the Newtownards Road with shops in Royal Avenue and the Halt Market in Weavers’ Cross, will be among more bagel makers from over 100 countries at the event.
Bodega Bagels will be competing for the ‘Best Bagel’ title, one of the most coveted awards in the American baking industry.
The company hand-rolls, boils, bakes and fills New York and Brooklyn style bagels daily using the best local ingredients. Bodega Bagels also provides a catering service.