To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of Bagel Works’ demise are greatly exaggerated. In fact, they are completely false.
Steve Ellenberg, owner of Bagel Works Bread Company, has been fighting rumors about his personal health and the state of his business for several months. But he reports that he, along with the bakery and catering business, are all alive and well and thriving.
Bagel Works Bread Company is a full-line bread company, specialty bakery and catering company. The local Vaad HaKashruth certifies the company, explaining on its website that it specializes in dairy and pareve catering. However Ellenberg proudly points out that Bagel Works recently catered a fleishik (meat) Bar Mitzvah luncheon held at the Jewish Community Campus.
“We do a lot of stuff that others won’t touch. We go out of the way to make an array of signature breads for different hotels and restaurants,” Ellenberg said.
The exaggerated rumors about Ellenberg’s health, and subsequently his business, began after he was hospitalized in June for foot surgery.
“I had a few diabetic setbacks that put me out of commission for a little bit. But I am now back and better than ever,” Ellenberg explained.
“Everything is under control and my doctors are ecstatic with my progress,” he continued.
Bagel Works first opened as a restaurant in the Westport neighborhood of Kansas City, Mo., in 1985. Sixteen years ago he closed the restaurant to concentrate on the wholesale end of the business and catering.
Ellenberg is the public face and owner of the business, but most of his staff has worked with him for more than 20 years. Those employees allow Bagel Works to continue serving its customers during times when Ellenberg vacations (which is rare), during his hospitalization this summer or when the company caters two events simultaneously.
“We had a wedding and a Bar Mitzvah going on the weekend I was operated on,” he said. “Even though I’m very hands on, my staff is very capable because we’ve worked together well for all these years.”
In fact when his daughter becomes a Bat Mitzvah in January, Ellenberg will rely on his staff to make the day run smoothly.
“I will do all the cooking and the initial set up and then my staff will take over, just like they would do if I was working another party,” he said.
Business, Ellenberg said, is steady. Bagel Works provides the bread for 100 to 125 local restaurants, hotels and schools. Those include d’Bronx, Hyatt Regency, Crown Center, Overland Park Sheraton, BRGR, Urban Table, Tomfooleries, Houston’s, Grand Street Café and the Bristol Seafood Grill. The catering division also caters a large percentage of events in the Jewish community.
“We do anywhere from two to five a week. We do small parties, big parties, Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, baby naming, showers, meetings. We get into everything,” Ellenberg said.
Rabbi Mendel Segal, the Vaad’s executive director, said Ellenberg and Bagel Works are a great asset to those seeking kosher catering.
“He is very knowledgeable about kosher and people love the variety he can offer,” Rabbi Segal said.
Amy Shapiro recently hired Bagel Works to cater events for her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. She said he is a pleasure to work with, consulting with her several times prior to the weekend’s events, helping her design menus, seating space and coordinate things with the Vaad.
“Our Friday night dinner at the Jewish Community Campus was delicious. We wanted it to feel like a home cooked Shabbat meal and it did! He also did our Kiddush luncheon. We wanted a New York deli lunch and it was perfect,” Shapiro said.
It’s been several months since his hospitalization, but Ellenberg continues to hear rumors about his poor health, even as he is out and about in the community.
“I heard I had my foot amputated. I’ve heard that I retired. There are so many rumors,” he said.
When he hears a rumor, he often answers, “That’s news to me.”
Ellenberg books parties not months in advance, but years in advance. Right now he is currently booking through 2014. But those who have events coming up soon are hearing the rumors and are concerned.
“I had a woman call me the other day who was worried that I wouldn’t be catering her party in December,” he said. “It’s her mother’s 90th birthday party, and she was very concerned that her mother wouldn’t be happy with anyone else. Fortunately she doesn’t have to have anyone else; I’ll be catering the party.”
He is adding a little humor to the situation.
“When I heard I sold my business, I said, ‘Did I at least get a good price?’ ”