Jewish bakery evolves to cater to East London’s new clientele

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Brian Pellot | Jan 24, 2014

LONDON (RNS) Foodies are flocking to London’s East End in search of the “crodough,” Britain’s answer to New York’s “cronut” craze.

“If you’re worried about calories, don’t eat them,” Ray Rinkoff said of his bakery’s croissant-doughnut fusion, not to be confused with the croissant-bagel “cragel” now popular across the Atlantic.

Rinkoff Bakeries, better known as Rinkoffs, is tucked away in a quiet courtyard in London’s Whitechapel district, where in the late 1800s Jack the Ripper terrorized prostitutes and Theodor Herzl spread his passion for political Zionism.

Alongside the bakery’s colorful raspberry crodoughs and chocolate cupcakes are braided challahs and bagels made from the same secret recipes Ray Rinkoff’s grandfather, Hyman, used when he first opened shop in 1911. A recent immigrant from Russia, Hyman Rinkoff entered a competitive field at a time when London’s Whitechapel district was the city’s Jewish hub, home to more than 25 traditional Jewish bakeries. Amid the steady expansion of supermarket chains and South Asian pastry shops, Rinkoffs is the last of its kind.

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/01/24/jewish-bakery-evolves-cater-east-londons-new-clientele/



Hyman Rinkoff’s handlebar mustache greets customers above Rinkoffs deli and café on Vallance Road in Whitechapel, London.( RNS photo by Brian Pellot)

http://www.rinkoffbakery.co.uk/