London has plenty of incredible food. Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern.. And the bakeries are something to behold too. So it makes sense when you’re in town to try some of its best offerings and Beigel Bake should certainly be at the top of your list!

Which brings me to today’s guest: Daniel Cohen, Managing Director of Beigel Bake Limited - one of London’s most iconic Jewish beigel shops, located along Brick Lane (also an iconic location in the City).

Beigel (or bagel, depending on where you’re from) is a second-generation family Jewish bakery that Daniel’s father began with two uncles back in 1974. Serving 7,000 dense and chewy Jewish beigels daily, 24/7, it has since been rated 3 stars by Time Out London in 2010 (4 stars by its online users) and featured by the photographic pictorial Life in the East End by London-based cabaret duo, EastEnd Cabaret.

In this episode, Daniel shares how Beigel Bake first came to be, what his father was like, how he got involved in the family business, the story behind its “rivalry” with a neighbouring Jewish beigel shop, how it fared during the pandemic and so much more.

If you’re ever in London, I’d recommend a visit to Beigel Bake!

Highlights:

• 4:10 Growing up with Beigel Bake as a prominent part of his life
• 5:01 The Jewish history of beigels (or bagels)
• 7:02 Brick Lane history
• 8:57 How Beigel Bake began & its ongoing “rivalry” with a neighbouring Jewish beigel shop
• 10:34 How Beigel Bake went from being a wholesaler to serving the public
• 12:37 Growing by word of mouth (no advertising!)
• 14:24 Most popular fillings
• 14:43 The story behind the salt beef/pastrami filling served at Beigel Bake
• 16:26 What was Daniel’s dad like?
• 20:28 Did Daniel feel obliged to join the family business?
• 21:55 Why Beigel Bake started serving sandwiches 24/7
• 24:14 Realities of running a family business 
• 25:54 Becoming managing director
• 28:58 Why Daniel released the recipe for their Jewish beigel
• 29:49 Will Beigel Bake ever open a branch?
• 30:53 Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
• 34:34 Launching their own delivery app (and some mishaps!)
• 38:38 Working with charities 
• 40:12 Having the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge come to visit
• 42:23 How the business is currently faring

📍Show notes: www.sothisismywhy.com/70               

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P/S: For recommendations, try Beigel Bake’s hot salt beef with mustard and gherkins, and/or cream cheese and salmon flavours!