CMEdi x Bross Bagels Partnership: Meeting Larah Bross!

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

After some photography and film-making fun, all whilst sipping on some of Bross’s very own coffee, we are introduced to the Bross Bagels team. A brief tour of the new Leith shop catches us up to speed on the latest goings on - a new upstairs seating area being built, vegan additions to the menu, and our worlds being opened up to the culinary possibilities of Latkes, whitefish, and organic fruit as food colouring - #CMEdi blue bagels, anyone?

 The energy in the shop is a perfect balance of busy preparations and relaxed banter. Each person in the shop playing an active part in conversations – including the odd individual quickly ducking their head in from the street, and through the doorway, notifying us all “I’ll be back soon for the day’s bagel!” and, “Remembered my mug the day and all!”.

 From the start of our visit, creative ideas are passing back and forth between the Bross and CMEdi teams. Touching on cultural sharing, sustainability, and our mutual love for creative community building, and support. We could have talked, planned, and laughed together all day!

 But, with the mid-morning, bagel-hungry rush fast approaching, it was time to capture some thoughts and insights. Music playing, joyful chatter continuing, and the smells of fresh baked breakfasts filling the air. Our interview with Bross founder, Larah, beginning with a more laughter and happy strides towards the seats in the sunlit shop window.   

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

Audrey: We’d love to start with learning a little more about the foundation of Bross, and that creative fire that got it going - because we feel it really resonates with us. So, what do you think has made this one the most exciting new independent businesses in Edinburgh, and Scotland?

 Larah: I definitely think a key thing is that there was no local bagel place. We brought bagels. And, it’s not just the bagels, it’s the culture - this whole new exciting thing that came along with it. Also, of course, the branding, and everyone wanting to get involved. Then, as everyone started to hear about it, talk spread… people were saying “have you had a bagel yet?”, or “Have you been to the bagel shop?”… And there’s only one!  

 So, it’s like when everyone starts to hear about a good thing, and then they’re wanting to tell 10 people. Who’s been there first? And, who has been there? 

I think everything happened really quickly, but really well. I also think the fact that I am not a business person meant that I took a whole bunch of risks that, if I were a business person, I would never have taken. I think the success really lies on that. That is, just really going for it, and not planning too much, and not debating ow its going to work. You’re just basically jumping in the deep end, and deciding “I’m going to open up a bagel shop!”

 Audrey: It’s taking that leap, and just going for it!

 Larah: Yeah!

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

Audrey: So, with your craft - which I’ve termed “Wowing the crowd with your delicious bagel presentation, and delivery!” - how have your team, and yourself developed over this past year? Tell us about you, as people!

 Larah: My team was very important for me. I didn’t really mind if they had never been in hospitality before. I didn’t even really mind if they had never even heard of a bagel before, because I was teaching them about bagels - so that was fine, and easy stuff to learn. It’s more about being able to talk to people. To create a vibe so that, when someone comes into the shop, they’ll be like “Oh, wow! It’s a whole experience!”. You know, this whole new thing!

 So, they have to be fun people to work with, be outgoing, be able to shout out a number, have a bit of a chat with the customer while they’re waiting, if there’s a massive queue… It’s best if they don’t stress out too much about moments like that.

 Right now, I think I’ve got a really great team, they’re all really believing in the brand. They think it’s exciting to work here, and to be part of it. To be part of history - it’s all really going in that direction.

 Also, for me, it’s the first time I’ve ever been the ‘boss lady’ - the Bross Lady! So, it’s been a learning curve, and I told them that as well. I’ve never run a business before, so there’s going to be things that are probably going to be 'weird’ and different. But, everyone respects that!

 It’s something that… well… As long as they’re having a good time at work, for me that’s what’s important. I was in hospitality for quite a long time, and there was nothing worse than not being thanked at the end of a shift, or just not being well looked after, and not being respected. Just, not being treated like a real person. So, here at Bross Bagels, we try and make sure that everybody is nurtured.

 For example, I’ve told everybody that if they’re good at anything else - besides making bagels - to let me know. We have one of the team members who’s a sign-writer, and that’s what she does as a side-business. So, I said “we’re happy to pay you to do the signs.” Anything you’re working on, on the side, - I don’t think this is anyone’s 'end job’, so - we’re happy to support everybody’s other passions, and work goals, and things like that.

 I think it’s good place to work. And, I’m hopefully responsible for that.

 Audrey: That sounds like it’s multiple layers of culture change. For your customers, bringing in a new culinary experience. Also a new brand. And, internally, that investment in people’s development and personal/professional projects. We hear about that being done at Google, and Virgin - but, not at smaller businesses, especially not in hospitality. So, you’ll be getting my application shortly…

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

Audrey: So, it was just over a year ago that we met you at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2017. It was CreativeMornings/EDI’s event for the global theme of 'Genius’, with Sashana Souza Zanella of the Edinburgh Food Studio. You were fresh out of the gate, a little nervous. But, for us, your approach to creativity and your overall energy were just fantastic. We definitely feel that you’re a great creative partner for us. But, what about CreativeMornings Edinburgh gets you excited?

 Larah: The people. Definitely.

 As soon as I did that CreativeMornings, I knew that these are kind of people that I want to be around. This is the most comfortable environment for me, being a creative person, and just knowing that I can cater for these people. Using my enthusiasm that just rides with the CreativeMornings vibe, it’s a really good match for me.

 So, yeah. It’s mostly the people that it attracts, and that are involved. We have a similar ethos!

 Audrey: That’s so wonderful to hear. We love this community, so it makes a huge, positive impact that you find a resonance in this element of CreativeMornings.

 Larah: Yeah, I think it’s a really good match. I mean, how could you go wrong with creativity and bagels?! I think, together, we could actually cross a lot of barriers that maybe without each other we wouldn’t be able to.

 Even just thinking about the things we could do together as collaborators, it’s great! So, I’m really happy to be involved in this. I don’t see any disadvantages at all. This feels like the best thing that could ever happen!

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

Audrey: Yes, we love Bross! And, looking forward to the next 6 months, what do you hope to bring to our monthly inspirational mornings?

 Larah: A WHOLE LOTTA BAGELS! Yes, we want to bring new ideas, including bagels.

 One idea we’ve thought about is bringing themed bagels, following the CreativeMornings themes. Potentially leaving that up to the people of CreativeMornings as well! Perhaps a suggestion box, game, quiz, or something else that people could get involved with, and really recommend their kind of bagels.

 We can explore what different types of people would have on their bagel, selecting one each month, and put it on the breakfast menu for CreativeMornings. We would also put it on our Bross Bagels menu for the month - a Monthly CreativeMornings Bagel. Changing it up as we go along.

 That’s really only one of the possibilities that we could explore, but they are truly endless.

 Audrey: Do you have any additional messages for the CMEdi people, or perhaps a question?

 Larah: ARE YOU READY!? Start thinking! Start thinking about these creative bagels that we can come up with, together.

 What’s the craziest thing you can come up with, that would work on a bagel? You’ll maybe end up seeing it in one of our shops. In Leith, Portobello, and maybe one more coming…

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

Audrey: Yes! Really fun and exciting times ahead!  

So, I have one more question for you. We have our monthly global theme, but, if you could pick a theme for the month, that the whole world would take part in - all 191 chapters around the world, for a whole month - what would it be?

 Larah: One that I would enjoy, thinking about 191 different cultures around the world, it would have to be 'Culture’.

 It relates to ideas we’ve had for our bagels, and collaborations. It would be great to find out what bagels the people of these cultures would create. Say, this is our Montreal style bagel. But what’s Romania’s bagel? What’s Ethiopia’s bagel?

 And so, we would go around the world, celebrating each country’s bagel! We could then pick the winning bagel for each place, and put that in our bagel menu. So, people could be like “Could I get an Israeli bagel?” or “One Indonesian bagel, please!”.

 Yeah, it would be 'Culture’. It’s what could, and should, bring everybody together. Culture and food together, that’s all you need!   

Photography by Ellie Morag 📸

So, stay tuned for the many delicious things yet to be announced. You can bet we’ll be calling on you for all your hole-y baked ideas.In the meantime… check out the awesome new Bross Bagels website, peruse the menu, and let your own creative minds run free. What would your custom bagel be? 

See you at our next event… Bross Bagels and creative inspiration await 💙