In Mexico’s city of Monterrey, enjoying a nice steak or some carne asada off the grill outside is a cultural tradition.
And so when the State of Nuevo Leon – of which Monterrey is the capital – decided to find its own unique passage into history, it did so the best way it knew how: with a massive barbecue.
Monterrey’s Parque Fundidora set the scene last week for the largest barbecue by attendance, with a record-setting 45,252 attendees basking in the sun-kissed, mesquite-tinged air.
“To see the people of Monterrey come out in such numbers was really inspiring,” said Guinness World Records adjudicator Amanda Mochan, who verified the record on-site. “While I didn’t have the chance to taste any food, it looked fantastic, and to successfully host such a large-scale event is a very impressive feat."
With food prepared by the Instituto Technico en Alimentos y Bebidas (Technical Institute of Food and Drink), not a stomach went home unfilled after a day of communal gathering and surely the use of plenty of napkins.
The previous record for largest barbecue attendance had stood for nearly 20 years, originally set at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney on Oct. 10, 1993.
But for the individuals of Monterrey, even with having secured an official place in Guinness World Records history, the day served a purpose far beyond preparing food and sharing a memorable afternoon.
“We have always been known as a really integrated community,” said Ana Maria Muñiz Azcarraga of the ITAB. “We think this event will help us come close and gain some pride for our city as a team achieving a goal together.”
