Market-goers buying bagels in Springwood or Blackheath can be assured they are getting the real deal.
The recipe used by Tanya Stepanov of Babushkas Bagels was handed down from her Russian-born grandfather and tested over decades at family businesses in Punchbowl, Canterbury and Enfield.
Like thousand of fellow Russians, Ms Stepanov’s grandfather settled in the Chinese city of Harbin following the Russian revolution. Her father was born in China before the family later emigrated to Australia, establishing a well-known deli in Punchbowl.
“It was my first job when I left school,” said Ms Stepanov. “I bought my first car from [money] baking bagels with grandfather and my dad.”
After working in real estate for 30 years, Ms Stepanov returned to her family’s baking roots three years ago when she set up the home-based bagel business.
She attends more than 20 markets including Springwood and Blackheath Growers Market as well as markets in Richmond.
She said quality and authenticity is the hallmark of her product, with some larger manufacturers not boiling the dough before it is baked – a crucial step in the traditional bagel.
Customer favourites include the plain bagel, chive and onion, and blueberry bagel. “Everybody wants to put cream cheese on a blueberry bagel,” she said.
More details: www.babushkasbagels.com.au.
