Philadelphia creates record-breaking line of cheesesteaks to support airport staff
During the partial government shutdown, it’s common to see long lines of expectant flyers stretched across airports all throughout the US, waiting to get past security checkpoints due to staffing shortages.
But as Philadelphia International Airport seeks to ease these issues, they also wanted to celebrate National Cheesesteak Day, support their concessionaires, and honour their airport employees – so on 24 March, TSA (Transportation Security Administration) workers at the airport were met with a very different type of line… one made entirely of cheesesteaks.
To support their officers in this difficult time, Philadelphia International Airport and its longtime retail and concessions operator Marketplace PHL (both USA) endeavoured to create the longest line of cheesesteaks in the world, by bringing hundreds of pieces of the iconic meat-and-cheese dish to their neighbours for free in the “City of Brotherly Love”.
Using the commercial kitchen facilities at the B/C connector, more than 1,200 rolls, 990 lbs of beef (540 kg) and 225 lbs of American cheese (100 kg) were assembled by the team to make a record-breaking line of 1,291 cheesesteaks.
Approximately 300 were distributed to the TSA officers on site, while the rest were quickly snapped up by passengers waiting in line and other airport employees.
The cheesesteak is a symbol of the Philadelphia culinary scene, where it was created in the early 20th century after a hot dog vendor threw some beef on the grill to make a sandwich with cheese and a flaky roll.
For Americans – as well as increasingly for international visitors – the juicy delicacy is an instantly recognizable specialty of the city, and it comes as no surprise that Philadelphia wanted to take the record on National Cheesesteak Day.
Boxes of bread for the cheesesteaks
“With US airports currently being a bit of a mess, it was great to see the larger Philadelphia community come together to celebrate their iconic food with a record-breaking attempt,” said GWR Adjudicator Michael Empric, who witnessed the event.
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It took the team of more than 100 employees and volunteers months to plan, much of the morning to cook, and almost an hour to create all of the sandwiches, which were displayed on a line of tables stretching across the B/C connector at PHL.
Behind the cheesesteaks, a giant sign read “Wit or Witout”, a reference to the Philly expression asking if you want your sandwich with or without crispy onions.
Soon, the delicious aroma drew dozens of spectators to the attempt, and hundreds of hungry employees and customers began grabbing the finished cheesesteaks from the line. In addition to the airport-goers, there was also national and local news at the event – as well as international onlookers, such as the couple who run the Philadelphia Eagles-themed bar/restaurant "Nihonbashi Philly" in Tokyo, Japan.
Event organizers said that the process was exhausting yet rewarding, and it was incredible to see how food can unite people regardless of the circumstances.
“I can barely walk anymore, but I’m glad we did it!” they said.
So congratulations to the city of Philadelphia, as well as everyone who took part in this record-breaking attempt – you (and your cheesesteaks) are Officially Amazing!