Schmear We Go Again: New York BagelFest Rolls Out Its Judges, Industry Talks and Entertainment

NEW YORK — The dough is rising, and so is demand for New York BagelFest, Presented by King Arthur Baking Company. The ultimate celebration of bagel culture returns to Citi Field on Sunday, November 15, 2026, bringing together more than 25 acclaimed bagel makers, culinary personalities, industry leaders and thousands of hungry fans for a day of unlimited tastings, friendly-but-fierce competition, conversation and entertainment.

“The global bagel industry is growing at a rapidly accelerating rate. The 7th Annual New York BagelFest will be the most magical one yet – quite literally, with a magician and mentalist joining this year’s entertainment lineup – for our foodies, industry professionals, and competitors,” says BagelFest founder Sam Silverman.

Bagel lovers don’t want to miss a bite. Early Bird tickets sold out in just three hours, and one-third of all available tickets were sold within the first 24 hours. Tickets are now on sale, as anticipation builds for one of the festival’s most ambitious editions yet. This fall, New York BagelFest will welcome bagel shops representing ten states and five countries, with bakers traveling from Ireland, Spain, Canada and India to compete alongside legendary New York institutions and leading bagel makers from across the United States. Getting a spot at BagelFest is no schmear feat. Fewer than 9% of applicants were selected to compete in 2026, following a highly curated selection process evaluating bakeries on quality, originality, reputation and the passionate communities they’ve built.

Now, BagelFest is rolling out the next batch of news: the experts who will determine which bagels rise above the rest, an Industry Talks series bringing together influential voices in the business, and world-class entertainment spanning magic, mentalism, live fine art, and family programming.

But first, a hole lot of responsibility comes with judging. Choosing among some of the world’s best bagels is a tough job, but somebody has to do it. The judging lineup brings together acclaimed voices from food journalism, restaurants, culinary culture and digital media, including Joan Nathan, the James Beard Award-winning author of twelve cookbooks known as the “matriarch of Jewish cooking.” Jake Cohen the New York Times bestselling author of Jew-ish and I Could Nosh the host of “Jake Makes it Easy” on A+E and Hulu. Ethan Zohn, a former professional soccer player, author, TV host, and champion of CBS’s Survivor: Africa. Chef Einat Admony, the three-time James Beard Award-nominated chef, restaurateur and cookbook author behind New York City’s Balaboosta and Moondog HiFi. Darra Goldstein, the founding editor of Gastronomica and editor in chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Food Studies, who has won numerous prizes for her work in food, including James Beard and IACP awards.

“The BagelFest judges hold a critical responsibility. Winning a top BagelFest award has elevated neighborhood shops into the national culinary spotlight. PopUp Bagels went on to a $300 million valuation, and Starship Bagel became a James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Bakery. It’s permanently altered the trajectories of countless businesses, and the lives of the employees and families behind them,” says Sam Silverman.

The coveted Best Bagel title will be determined through a blind taste test by the judges. Each unsliced plain bagel will receive a score from 1–10 across flavor, texture, appearance and aroma. The highest average score takes the crown, with flavor serving as the tiebreaker. The same judging criteria will determine honors for Best Bagel – New York Style, Best Bagel – Sourdough and Best Bagel – Montreal Style.

Expert judges will also select Schmear of the Year, based on flavor, texture and consistency, and originality; Most Creative, evaluating original concept, execution, presentation and story; Best Showmanship, honoring booth presentation, team energy and brand representation; and Best Bialy, judged on flavor, texture, appearance and creativity while honoring tradition. But the experts don’t get all the fun. Festivalgoers will have their say through public voting for People’s Choice, Best of the Boroughs, Best Beyond the Boroughs, Best International and Rising Star. For competitors who prefer speed to schmear, the Bagel Rolling Championship returns to the main stage, challenging participants to see who can roll the most bagels in just one minute.

BagelFest isn’t just about who makes the best bagel; it’s also about the people, ideas and businesses shaping where bagel culture rolls next. The festival’s Industry Talks will bring bakers, operators and industry leaders together throughout the day for conversations about craft, growth, tradition and the future of the business.

“No matter your level of experience or knowledge, the industry panels at BagelFest offer a valuable opportunity to learn from professionals across the business. Panelists bring expertise in areas ranging from bagel making and business operations to brand marketing and beyond. There is no better place to connect with and learn from the industry’s leading experts, all in one location,” says Jeff Yankellow, Director of Bakery and Food Services Sales at King Arthur Baking Company.

Read more about the festival and its judges.

About New York BagelFest

The New York BagelFest is the ultimate celebration of the city’s culture. Sample unlimited bagels and schmears from the best bakeries in the world, meet the makers, and experience bagel culture like never before with hands-on programming, one-of-a-kind competitions, and family-friendly activities for all ages. BagelFest is produced by BagelUp.

About King Arthur Baking Company

King Arthur Baking Company has been dedicated to spreading the joy of baking since its beginning in 1790. Proudly certified as a B Corp and 100% employee-owned, King Arthur stands as the premier baking resource for both home bakers and professionals. Committed to excellence and innovation, King Arthur delivers unparalleled quality flour and technical support to bakery, foodservice, pizzeria, and culinary customers, ensuring impeccable results with every bake.