Sip sip, hooray! Meet the chef who got the champagne flowing to raise money for charity
Mirko Rainer (Italy) smashed his own record for most champagne/sparkling wine bottles sabered in one minute, and this time he did it for charity. On 22 May, the chef sabered 91 bottles of champagne in 60 seconds to achieve the title.
The attempt took place at Sektmanufaktur Winkler, Coraniano BZ, Italy, and was completed in support of Kinderherz Südtirol, a charity dedicated to children’s heart health. An incredible amount of €14,000 (£11,983; $16,220) was raised in support of the charity. The location, bottles, and stage were all sponsored for the attempt.
We caught up with Mirko to learn more about him and his record-breaking success.
Mirko is 46 years old and owns two restaurants in Ticino, Switzerland: Montalbano by Mirko Rainer, which is recommended by the Michelin Guide, and Osteria Leone Barberini.
He first tackled the record in 2023 on the set of Lo Show Dei Record, where he sabered 68 bottles in one minute. Three years later, he returned with a goal to become even faster.
This time he set the record and managed to raise cash for the children’s charity at the same time.
For his second attempt, Mirko explained that he kept his technique the same but focused on improving his speed and strength. Sabering glass bottles is no easy feat, but thankfully he has never injured himself.
He told us: “It can be dangerous if the bottles are not cold enough, as there are six to seven bars of pressure inside.”
Read about more records like this in our dedicated Food and Drink section.
Mirko used a high-end Italian sparkling wine for his attempt.
On why he came back to break his own record, he said: “I had been asked to help raise money for the children’s heart issues charity, and I accepted!”
When asked if he would attempt to break any other record titles in the future, Mirko said that it would depend on the event. “If the attempt is for a good reason like charity, then why not? We live in a world where it’s important to give back something good for others. That would be my way to raise money to help others who are not as fortunate. When you do something good, it makes you feel good.”
Will Mirko try to beat his own record again? We’ll just have to wait and see!