Legendary for its freshly baked Jewish-style bagels, piled high with salt beef, and smoked salmon and cream cheese, Beigel Bake on London’s Brick Lane has become a culinary landmark, first opened in 1974 by brothers Amnon Cohen and Sammy Minzley. As a staple of the city’s late-night food scene, the 24-hour bakery in the heart of the East End has seen the neighborhood evolve while its menu remains largely unchanged, now led by the family’s next generation, and serving a revolving door of cab drivers, early-morning commuters, late-night clubbers, tourists, and locals.

Capturing the community, dedication, and tradition behind one of his own favourite food spots, American photographer and filmmaker Sam Youkilis celebrates the historic East London bakery for the short film Beigel Bake. Documenting daily operations between the kitchen and the front counter, Youkilis connects the bakery’s rich history to the loyal customers continuing its popularity today, threaded together by photographic archives, personal stories, and the unifying appeal of the comfort foods that preserve its legacy.