BagelFest West in LA celebrated artisanal bagels with a creative fusion winner.

BagelFest West in Los Angeles on April 12 celebrated the bagel as an artisanal food, drawing about 1,000 attendees. Organized by BagelUp, the event highlighted traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation, with California’s Rise Bagel winning for creative fusion flavors and Seattle’s Hey Bagel taking best bagel for its hand-rolled sourdough. The festival underscores a growing trend of appreciating fresh, handcrafted breads across North America.