LOS ANGELES — With the first-ever BagelFest West just weeks away — taking place April 12 at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion in Los Angeles — the slate of judges evaluating this year’s participants have been unveiled.
This cohort is composed of industry experts, media figures, culinary aficionados and previous BagelFest winners, led by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and restaurateur Sherry Yard. She will also oversee the “Breadheads” subset of judges who will declare the winner of the Best Bagel category.
The following categories and subsequent judges are:
- Best Bagel: Sherry Yard, Rose Wilde, Oren Salomon, Craig Hutchinson and Matias Barang
- Schmear of the Year: Diane Worthington, Nicola Twilley, Noah Galuten and Ari Kolender
- Most Creative: Aliza J. Sokolow, Kerry Rose Schwartz, Perrin Davidson and Charlie Pennes
- Best Sandwich: Jeffrey Yoskowitz, Beth Lee, Justin Shukat and Bev Lazo Gonzales
These experts are tasked with evaluating each category for flavor, texture, originality, technical execution and overall presentation. For the Best Bagel accolade — which will be reviewed through a blind tasting process — the Breadheads will also place an added emphasis on the structural and technical integrity of each bagel.
BagelFest West, sponsored by King Arthur Baking Co., is held in partnership with the Jewish Food Lab of Wilshire Boulevard Temple. For more information on the event and exhibitors, visit the BagelFest website.
