National Bagel Day is a great time to have a little bit of casual fun at work. The day is celebrated annually in the United States on January 15th to honor this delicious staple of breakfast items.
It’s a perfect excuse to bring folks together to indulge in their favorite bagels and try new toppings.
We’ve got a few ideas on how to make the day fun and memorable for employees and how to use incentive automation to include remote employees.
OK – That may be a bit of a stretch, but there is significant evidence that employee satisfaction is a key driver of workplace engagement and workplace longevity.
National Bagel Day is an excellent time to let your employees have a little fun.
Research suggests that kindness yields positive outcomes for businesses. If you’re an emerging leader, being kind to your employees can help you retain top talent, establish a thriving culture, increase employee engagement, and enhance productivity. (Harvard Business Review)
Employee satisfaction is when workers feel content and fulfilled with their jobs, according to MarshMcLennan. This feeling makes them more likely to stay with a company long term. Minimizing turnover saves your organization money while boosting workforce continuity and stability.
Frequent “pats on the back” are one important component of acknowledging employees and showing gratitude.
Bagels originated in Poland during the 17th century and were a staple in Jewish communities.
The first written mention of bagels appeared in 1610 in Krakow, Poland, in Jewish community regulations, stating they were given to women after childbirth.
Bagels moved from Eastern Europe to the United States through immigration, primarily through New York City and began their ascent into popularity in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Bagel bakers in New York formed an organization for bagel bakers in 1907. For decades, the International Beigel Bakers’ Union and Bagel Bakers Local 338 held contracts with nearly all bagel bakeries in and around New York City for its workers.
By the mid 20th century bagels became very popular and began to show up in the proliferation of pre-package bagels and bagel shops and bagel chains. Many purists insist, of course, that a good bagel can’t possibly come pre-packaged, and must come fresh from a bagel shop.
The bagel had been largely a specialty food item prior to Danile Thompson’s invention of the “Thompson Bagel Machine,” which he began building in his garage in Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles, in 1958.
Before Thompson’s automated bagel maker was invented, making bagels was a slow, mostly hand process. The machines increased production and helped popularize bagels and make them available to a wider consumer base.
More about bagel history at NYC Bagel Tours.
The world’s largest bagel was made at the Great New York State Fair in 2004 by Bruegger’s Bagels. It weighed 868 pounds, which is about 4,000 times the size of an average bagel.
Astronaut Gregory Chamitoff brought bagels into space during his 2008 ISS mission, sharing a taste of Earth with the crew.
Bagels are boiled before baking, and that imparts a dense, chewy texture and shiny crust. This initial cooking process, boiling in water, sets bagels apart from other bread types.
The hole in the center of the bagel ensures even cooking, just like donuts. It also makes it easier to store and transport bagels by threading them onto wooden dowels.
A plain bagel has around 250-300 calories, but toppings can significantly increase the count.
Celebrating National Bagel Day at work is a good way to show thanks and gratitude for the dedication and hard work of employees. Small events, conducted frequently as a means of expressing thanks can boost morale and foster a sense of esprit de corps. Here are just a few ideas you may think about:
A Bagel Breakfast Buffet is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering a delicious and customizable morning meal for gatherings, events, or casual brunches. The concept revolves around serving freshly baked bagels alongside a variety of spreads, toppings, and accompaniments to suit every palate.
Start with a selection of bagels, including popular choices like plain, sesame, everything, cinnamon raisin, and whole wheat. Provide a variety of spreads to enhance flavor, such as classic cream cheese (plain and flavored), butter, peanut butter, hummus, and jam. For an elevated touch, add specialty options like smoked salmon spread or avocado mash.
Toppings are the highlight of a bagel buffet, allowing guests to build their creations. Popular options include smoked salmon (lox), sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, capers, and fresh herbs like dill. Sweet toppings like honey, fresh fruit, or nutella add a delightful twist for those with a sweet tooth.
For protein-packed choices, include scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, or deli meats. Pair the buffet with fresh fruit, yogurt, and beverages like coffee, tea, and juice for a balanced meal.
A Bagel Breakfast Buffet is not only easy to assemble but also encourages creativity, ensuring everyone leaves satisfied and inspired by the versatile bagel.
No matter which ideas you choose to implement, the key is to create a festive and inclusive atmosphere where employees can come together to enjoy delicious bagels and bond with their colleagues.
You can conduct your bagel celebration in-person and virtually, so that remote workers get a chance to participate.
Provide gift cards to popular (or local) bagel and coffee shops. Or you can choose to deliver a choice of DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats to employees that are remote.
Make sure your remote employees schedule their bagel deliveries for an hour before your event time.
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