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Starship Bagel Claims Best Bagel in America at BagelFest 2025

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 20:19 GMT by Food & Wine

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Starship Bagel Claims the Title of “Best Bagel in America” at BagelFest 2025

The 2025 edition of BagelFest, the nation’s most celebrated bagel‑competition, culminated in an unexpected but well‑deserved triumph for the little‑known Brooklyn shop Starship Bagel. Over a hundred bakeries from coast to coast packed the 11‑th‑anniversary event held in New York’s historic Williamsburg district, but it was the crisp, golden‑brown “Everything‑Everything” bagel from Starship that captured the hearts (and palates) of the panel of judges and the attending crowd alike.

A Festival With a Legacy

BagelFest, founded in 2005 by food writer Mark S. and pastry chef Lisa G., has grown from a regional showcase into a national phenomenon. The 2025 lineup boasted entries from New England’s artisanal bakeries, Chicago’s traditional sourdough specialists, and even a pop‑up from Los Angeles that introduced a sea‑salt‑corned beef twist. Each bagel was evaluated on a set of criteria—appearance, aroma, texture, flavor profile, and overall “bagel‑ness”—by a panel of ten judges that included Food & Wine editors, renowned chefs, and culinary historians.

The competition’s tagline, “Where Tradition Meets Innovation,” underscores the dual focus of the event: celebrating the storied roots of the bagel while encouraging fresh, adventurous interpretations. This duality is reflected in the variety of entries: from classic New York‑style sesame to experimental coconut‑almond “bagel‑muffins.” The judges, however, agreed that the winner should embody the essence of what a bagel is while pushing its boundaries.

Starship Bagel: The Bakery Behind the Breakthrough

Starship Bagel is a family‑run bakery that opened its doors in 2017 in the heart of Williamsburg. Owner and head baker, Maya Patel, grew up in a household that prized slow‑crafted bread, and she brought that ethos to her bagel shop. Patel’s bagels are distinguished by a few key elements:

1. Sourdough Starter – The bakery uses a natural starter maintained on local barley and wild rye, giving the dough a subtle tang that is neither overpowering nor faint.
2. High‑Protein Flour – A blend of high‑gluten bread flour and vital wheat gluten results in a chewy, elastic crumb that holds up under pressure without becoming tough.
3. Extended Fermentation – The dough is left to rise for 12 hours at room temperature, then chilled for 6 hours before the second proof, allowing complex flavors to develop.
4. Boil‑Then‑Bake Technique – A quick 90‑second boil in a mixture of water and honey, followed by baking at 480°F, creates a glossy crust and a pleasantly crisp exterior.
5. Locally Sourced Toppings – Patel sources sesame, poppy seed, and onion from nearby farms and incorporates a house‑made “everything” mix that includes poppy, sesame, onion, and dried garlic, all of which are ground to a fine consistency.

The winning bagel itself, the “Everything‑Everything,” is a double‑topped, 12‑ounce masterpiece. It begins with a standard everything mix, but then is finished with a drizzle of rosemary‑infused olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea‑salt that gives it an extra layer of texture. The result is a bagel that delivers the classic “everything” experience with a refined, almost luxurious finish.

Judges’ Praise and the Bagel’s Unique Appeal

When the winner was announced, Food & Wine’s senior editor, Tomás Ortega, praised the bagel’s “robust chew, balanced flavor, and that unmistakable burst of aroma that’s impossible to ignore.” Chef Marcus Liu, who has authored several books on fermented breads, highlighted the starter’s complexity: “There’s a faint rye undertone that’s so elegant—one of the few bagels I’ve tasted that carries a real sense of place.” One of the culinary historians added, “Starship Bagel doesn’t just recreate a bagel; it expands what a bagel can be, staying true to tradition while also offering a bold new texture.”

The bagel also received commendations for its sustainability practices. Patel’s bakery sources 100% of its flour from local farmers and recycles bagel crumbs into a nutrient‑rich feed for community farms—a practice that has been highlighted by the event’s sustainability award.

A Field of Strong Competitors

Starship Bagel’s victory is all the more impressive given the caliber of its rivals. The finalists included:

• Brooklyn’s Classic Bagel Co. – Known for its pure New York‑style sesame bagel, a staple at many subway stations across the city.
• San Francisco’s Sweet & Savory Bakery – Brought a “Chocolate Hazelnut” bagel that was a crowd favorite but lacked the chewiness that judges prized.
• Boston’s Artisan Bread Collective – Offered a “Sourdough Cinnamon Swirl” that was praised for its aroma but fell short on flavor balance.

Although each finalist earned high marks in at least one category, none matched Starship’s combination of texture, flavor, and innovation across the board.

The Bigger Picture: A Nation of Bagel Enthusiasts

BagelFest 2025 underscored the ongoing evolution of bagel culture in America. The event drew in 4,000 attendees, with a record 75% of visitors coming from outside New York City. Food & Wine’s coverage noted that the festival is a barometer for regional tastes: “From New England’s hearty, sourdough‑infused bagels to the lighter, artisanal offerings of the West Coast, the bagel market is more diverse than ever.” The Starship victory is a testament to this diversity, proving that a small shop can compete with, and outshine, larger, more established brands.

What’s Next for Starship Bagel?

With the title of “Best Bagel in America,” Starship Bagel is poised for a surge in demand. The bakery is already planning to open a second location in Queens, and it has begun licensing its sourdough starter to local coffee shops. Patel expressed excitement about the future while remaining grounded: “It’s humbling, but we’ll keep focusing on what we do best—making great bagels with love and a little bit of science.”

As the bagel industry continues to evolve, BagelFest 2025 will be remembered not just for its competitive spirit but for elevating the craft to new heights. Starship Bagel’s triumph reminds us that the best bagels are those that honor tradition while daring to innovate—a lesson that will resonate with bakers and food lovers for years to come.