For 100 years, the Hellmann’s brand has prided itself on "helping to turn meals into moments for families across the country." On Sept. 24, in celebration of its centennial, Hellmann’s brought together a slew of celebrities and fans to gather around its new world-record sized longest picnic table.
Chef Mario Batali, Chef Tim Love, Chef Aaron Sanchez and guests Katie Holmes, Andy Cohen and Paul Pierce of the Brooklyn Nets celebrated the occasion at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84, mere blocks from the site of Richard Hellmann's original deli. With more than 500 individuals having taken their seats, the record table measured a whopping 97.59 m (320 ft 2 in).
“For the past 100 years, Hellmann’s has been a part of the memories, the laughter and the delicious meals that happen around America’s tables,” said Brian Orlando, Senior Brand Director, Hellmann’s. “Our record-breaking table only exists because we have been invited to so many tables throughout the years, from holiday dinners, to school lunches, Sunday dinners and even the dessert table."
The table was constructed from solid pine wood, weighed approximately 8,000 lb (more than 3,600 kg) and stretched longer than a football field. When the celebration concluded, the table was disassembled and all useable wood donated to Build It Green, which will repurpose the wood to be used in future building projects in New York City. An official Guinness World Records adjudicator was on-site to verify the table's length.
All participants were treated to a basket meal provided by Batali. At the same time, in light of September’s recognition of Hunger Action Month, Hellmann’s sought to provide one million meals to Feeding America, to help the fight against hunger nationwide.
Coverage of the event included USA Today, AdWeek, Life & Style, and MarketWatch.
Having broken the existing record by nearly 15 feet, the picnic table adds to Hellmann's already-record setting 100th year around the globe.
