From Near Death to Sweet Success: The Inspiring Story Behind Benji's Buns NYC

December 30, 2025•10 min read

How Founder Benjamin Michael Turned His Darkest Moment Into NYC's Premier Cinnamon Roll Destination

As Featured in The Independent | December 29, 2025 | Written by Caitlin Hornik

Benjamin Michael told The Independent how recovering from an eating disorder forced him to rebuild his relationship with food, a process that eventually led him to open Benji's Buns, the New York City bakery that has grown into a neighborhood fixture.

In the heart of New York City's West Village, a bright yellow storefront draws crowds seeking what many call "NYC's best cinnamon rolls." But behind the gooey, perfectly crafted buns at Benji's Buns lies a story of profound transformation—one that captured national attention when founder Benjamin Michael opened up to The Independent about his remarkable journey from near-death to entrepreneurial success.

This isn't just another success story about a passionate baker who made it big. This is the powerful account of a 24-year-old entrepreneur who quite literally baked his way back from the brink of death, transforming a life-threatening eating disorder into a thriving business that brings comfort to thousands. As featured in The Independent on December 29, 2025, Michael's story shows how he was reborn from the ashes through the healing power of cinnamon rolls.

A Promising Career Cut Short by Crisis

Benjamin Michael's story begins not in a kitchen, but in the world of real estate, where he was building a promising career at its height. Then the pandemic hit, and what started as digestive issues quickly spiraled into a medical emergency that would change his life forever. Looking back, Michael describes it simply: "It was quite a dark period for me in my life."

Within six months during the pandemic, Michael lost over 50 pounds. What began as an inability to properly digest food evolved into something far more sinister even after medical treatment: severe cibophobia, an intense, debilitating fear of food itself. The young entrepreneur found himself trapped in a terrifying cycle where every meal brought panic, and eating became an act of survival rather than nourishment.

The constant worry consumed him and took a drastic toll on both his physical and mental health. Michael began carrying a bottle of Pepto-Bismol everywhere, living in constant fear of becoming ill in public, even as he largely stopped eating altogether. He remembered thinking he could subsist on just juice and crackers, but the rate at which he continued to shed weight was not sustainable.

The reality was stark and frightening. Michael recalls being unable to walk to the end of his street, completely drained of stamina and strength. Restaurant visits became nearly impossible, triggering instant panic attacks. As food disappeared from his life, so too did his health, vitality, and hope.

"Fight or Die": The Moment Everything Changed

Then came the conversation that would save his life. Michael's doctors delivered a brutal truth: without immediate intervention, they couldn't guarantee he'd survive another month. The message was clear and uncompromising—this wasn't just about getting better. It was about survival.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Michael describes his response with remarkable clarity: his body went into what most would call fight or flight mode, but for him, the options were even more binary. It wasn't fight or flight—it was fight or die. And Benjamin Michael chose to fight.

Finding Comfort in the Most Unlikely Place

In an irony that wouldn't be lost on Michael, the path to healing began with the very thing that terrified him: food. More specifically, it began with cinnamon rolls.

Growing up, Michael had traveled frequently to the United States, and one particular American comfort food had always captured his heart. As he shared with The Independent, he used to always buy cinnamon rolls when visiting America because they're such a beloved tradition here. But they were more than just a treat to him—they represented something deeper.

During his darkest hours, when everything else seemed impossible, baking these beloved treats became his anchor. "That for me was a comfort food," Michael explained. "It was very much something that made me feel safe." In a world where food had become the enemy, cinnamon rolls became his safe haven, his therapy, and ultimately, his salvation.

As Michael slowly rebuilt his relationship with food through a carefully chosen vegan diet, he found himself spending hours in the kitchen, experimenting with different cinnamon roll recipes and flavor combinations. Each roll he created represented not just culinary experimentation, but a step toward recovery, a reclaiming of his life from the grip of fear and illness.

From Kitchen Experiments to West Village Success

What started as personal therapy gradually transformed into something bigger. Encouraged by family who saw the passion and purpose baking had restored in him, Michael made a bold decision: to turn his healing journey into a business that could bring comfort to others the way cinnamon rolls had comforted him.

Benji's Buns was born—first in London, then finding its permanent home in New York City's vibrant West Village neighborhood. The location at 122 Christopher Street has become more than just a bakery; it's a neighborhood fixture, a late-night destination, and a testament to the power of transformation.

Today, the bakery is booming. Michael has experimented with over 70 different flavor varieties, both sweet and savory, each one crafted with the same dedication that helped him reclaim his life. From classic vanilla glazed to innovative creations like Biscoff cookie, strawberries and cream, and seasonal specialties, Benji's Buns offers New Yorkers what food gave Michael during his recovery: comfort, joy, and connection.

The Phoenix from the Ashes: A New Life Through Baking

For Michael, the symbolism runs deep. As he told The Independent, many people turned to baking during the pandemic, including those who had never baked anything in their lives. But for him, cinnamon rolls were already that comfort food—and he knew that for millions of American families, they hold the same special place.

"It was very much turning something negative into something positive and sort of showing like the phoenix from the ashes, so to speak," Michael explained to The Independent. His words capture the essence of his remarkable transformation: from being near death to now thriving, from fearing food to creating it daily for others, from isolation to building a community around shared moments of sweetness and joy.

The business isn't just about baking; it's about transformation, resilience, and the courage to turn suffering into something beautiful. As Michael powerfully stated: "I feel that having this business, I was reborn basically from being near death to now thriving."

Understanding the Broader Impact: Mental Health Awareness

While Michael celebrates his recovery, he's acutely aware that his story is one of the fortunate ones. The statistics are sobering: approximately 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. In the United Kingdom, about 1.25 million people currently live with these conditions.

The issue hits even closer to home for Michael. He has revealed that his own mother suffers from severe anorexia, adding another layer of complexity to his personal battle. Growing up with a parent struggling with an eating disorder made his own illness that much harder to overcome—when the person who should be helping you is themselves powerless against the same demon, the path to recovery becomes even more challenging.

By sharing his story publicly through platforms like The Independent, Michael hopes to do more than just promote his business. He's raising awareness, reducing stigma, and offering hope to others who may be fighting similar battles in silence.

Benji's Buns Today: A West Village Institution

Walk into Benji's Buns today, and you'll find a bright, welcoming space that radiates warmth—both from the ovens and from the story behind every roll. The bakery has quickly earned recognition as one of NYC's premier destinations for cinnamon rolls, drawing locals and tourists alike to Christopher Street.

The buns themselves are substantial—these aren't delicate pastries but generous, shareable treats that require a fork and a table. Each one is baked fresh daily using high-quality ingredients, with generous toppings and frosting that transform them into a full dessert experience. The signature vanilla glazed roll remains the bestseller, though the original cinnamon roll, with its extra doughy texture and strong cinnamon flavor, has its devoted following.

Operating with extended hours (Monday through Thursday 10am to 10pm, Friday through Sunday 10am to midnight), Benji's Buns has become a neighborhood fixture, perfect for late-night cravings and special occasions alike. The bakery offers catering services, bulk orders, and even a Bun Club loyalty program for the most devoted fans.

A Message of Hope and Resilience

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Benjamin Michael's story isn't the business success or even the impressive recovery—it's the message embedded in every cinnamon roll that comes out of his West Village kitchen. Each bun represents a choice to fight, to persevere, to transform pain into purpose.

For those struggling with eating disorders, food anxiety, or any form of mental health challenge, Michael's journey offers tangible proof that recovery is possible, that darkness can give way to light, and that sometimes our greatest struggles can become the foundation for our most meaningful achievements.

The story of Benji's Buns is ultimately a story about the human capacity for resilience, the healing power of passion and purpose, and the extraordinary things that can happen when we refuse to give up. It's about taking something as simple as a cinnamon roll and infusing it with love, determination, and the hard-won wisdom that comes from facing down death and choosing life.

Experience the Story for Yourself

Today, Benji's Buns stands as more than just a bakery—it's a living testament to recovery, entrepreneurship, and the sweet rewards of perseverance. Whether you're a New York local or a visitor to the city, stopping by 122 Christopher Street in the West Village offers more than just an exceptional cinnamon roll. It's an opportunity to support a business built on courage, to taste the product of passion refined through struggle, and to be part of a story that continues to inspire.

Every purchase supports not just a business, but a mission—one that shows others battling their own demons that recovery is possible, that second chances are real, and that sometimes the sweetest victories come from the darkest moments.

Resources and Support

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or food-related anxiety, please know that help is available:

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)- Provides resources, support, and information for those affected by eating disorders
Beat Eating Disorders (UK)- Helpline available 365 days a year at 0808 801 0677
NCFED- Offers information, resources, and counseling for those suffering from eating disorders and their support networks

Remember: recovery is possible, and you don't have to face this alone.

The Sweet Taste of Triumph

Benjamin Michael's feature in The Independent has brought well-deserved attention to both his personal journey and his thriving business. But beyond the media recognition and growing customer base, what truly matters is the hope his story provides—hope for those currently struggling, inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, and a powerful reminder that our darkest moments don't define us; how we rise from them does.

At Benji's Buns, every cinnamon roll carries this message: transformation is possible, healing is achievable, and sometimes the sweetest successes come from the most bitter struggles. That's not just good business—that's a recipe for life.