Island Bagels
While experimenting in the kitchen for family and friends Osk made her first batch of bagels last year in
May for her husband and some of their friends. As the response to the bagels were good, she kept on making
them. Whenever she had friends over for a meal she would try out new types of bagels and get them to taste
it. Her friends then suggested that she put together a Facebook page so that people who would like to order
bagels could get in touch. This was the start of Island Bagels.
Osk is an Icelandic national, residing in Sri Lanka. Before she moved to Sri Lanka she worked in the
development sector. Island Bagels is something totally different from her previous line of work but she is
extremely dedicated and committed to her baking.
Island Bagels currently has a few types of bagels on offer. They are the Plain Bagel, Sesame Bagel, Onion
Bagel, Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel, Healthy Whole Wheat and Kurrakkan Flour Bagel. They started baking
a monthly special bagel in the last three months. In September Osk tried her hand at an Orange and
Cranberry Bagel. The October special was an Atta Flour and Pumpkin Seed Bagel in keeping with the
Halloween theme. The November special was Mili’s Miris Bagel (Chili Bagel) which was something that a
friend suggested, with a Sri Lankan twist. The bagel is named after him. The Miris Bagel has been
extremely popular and therefore Island Bagels have added it to their regular menu. Osk is making a special
bagel for the festive season this month as well so you will have to check out her Facebook page to see what
she comes up with.
Island Bagels has also introduced an Everything Bagel. Everything bagels are traditionally bagels with
everything ranging from onion, garlic, sesame seeds, poppy seeds and some salt. Osk’s everything bagel has
got a twist to it and we recommend that you try it out. Esteem tried it out and we give it a thumbs up.
Ideally all the bagels can be eaten either toasted or untoasted with butter. You could also slather some
hummus on it if you prefer a healthier option. If you want a rich and tasty treat we suggest you have the
Miris Bagel with some smoked salmon and cream cheese. We really loved their Miris Bagel and we are sure
that you will too.
Osk is currently working with a local vendor to source cream cheese for her customers. This is still in its
testing phase but we hope to be able to buy cream cheese with our bagels from her sometime early next year.
Island Bagels is a home-based business. They bake delicious, authentic American bagels. All ingredients are
sourced locally, with emphasis on organic and sustainable ingredients where possible. Osk mentioned to us
that The Good Market has been extremely supportive and they have largely been responsible for introducing
her to a lot of local suppliers.
Esteem inquired about future plans for Island Bagels and we learned that Osk plans to make an application
to have a stall at The Good Market.
Much further down the line Osk has a dream of finding a permanent space for breakfast and bagels in the
city. She also would like to employ differently abled persons to work in her café as this would give people
with physical disabilities a chance they usually wouldn’t get.
We wish Island Bagels the very best with all their future endeavours and recommend that you place an order
for some bagels right now.
All bagels are priced at Rs. 150 per bagel or Rs. 800 for a batch of six bagels.
You can find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IslandBagels
Written by Surovi Salgado
Osk
Milis Miris Bagel
Miris With Pesto Bagel
Onion Bagel
Plain With Cream Cheese Bagel