Director Mel Brooks infuriated Toronto's Jewish community by saying he chose New York over Toronto to film "The Producers" because New York bagels are better.
Toronto bagel makers defended their goods following the Brooklyn, N.Y., director's comments that Toronto bagels were mushy, the Toronto Sun reported Friday.
"I think Mel Brooks doesn't know what he's talking about. If he ever came to Bagel World he'd never want to shoot again in New York," said Michael Sherkin, who owns Toronto's Bagel World.
Sherkin pointed to his shop's famous twister bagel, a handmade, bagel known for its large size, crispy exterior, and soft inside as evidence against Brooks' claim.
Annabelle Villa-Real, manager at Gryfe's Bagel Bakery, challenged Brooks to a taste test.
"Before he said that, he should try each bagel bakery in Toronto," Villa-Real said.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
