Sydney-based Brooklyn Boy Bagels has taken home the title of Best Bagels in Asia Pacific at Bagelfest.

The New York-style bagel shop’s award-winning line-up at the competition included a 72-hour plain bagel, tiger bagel, za’atar bagel, and smoked malt and freekeh bagel. There were also a selection of spreads ranging from Tim Tam cream cheese, bacon bourbon maple cream cheese, and shichimi butter.

Brooklyn Boy Bagels also took home third prize for best international bagel at the competition, which was held earlier this year in the US.

Owner Michael Shafran, who originally hails from Brooklyn, said it takes a certain amount of passion and insanity to recreate bagels on the other side of the world.

“To take out bronze for best international bagel and be the first bagel maker in Asia Pacific to ever make it onto the global podium is something we’re extremely proud of,” he said to Time Out.

Michael had travelled to the competition armed with 400 bagels, including the four he competed with. The Tim Tam cream cheese also proved to be a huge crowd-pleaser.

“I only made it because the festival organiser joked about it, but honestly? It was good,” he said to The Jewish Independent.

Shafran was faced with a number of issues prior to the event, including his head baker not being able to get a visa in time.

“These days I’m running the business, on quality control and I don’t have my hands on the dough. I’m also turning 58. I’m not exactly in baker-shape,” he said.

“The [Nepalese] consulate told us the next available appointment was in February 2025. I was like ‘great, so I’m doing this solo’.

Instead a motely crew of helpers stepped in to help – some of who didn’t even work in the food industry. One of these was the son of a childhood friend.

However, Michael said he hasn’t been deterred.

“I’ll go back next year. But next time I’m bringing my head baker,” he said.