Launching the Feria de la Torta in Mexico City Wednesday, the Venustiano Carranza borough once again broke the record for the biggest torta in the world.
The enormous sandwich measured 66 meters (72 yards), weighed over 800 kilograms (1,940 lbs) and was made in just three minutes and 43 seconds, breaking last year’s record of 65 meters in three minutes and 47 seconds.
The first Feria de la Torta took place in 2004 and featured a torta measuring 25 meters in length. Since then, the Venustiano Carranza borough has successfully constructed tortas increasing in size each year, resulting in this year’s addition which more than doubled the size of the 2004 original.
Each year, thousands of people flock to see local and international torta venders rush to make the world’s biggest torta. This year, the festival is expected to host between 350,000 and 400,000 people. A total of 85 different businesses participated in the torta’s elaboration from nine countries, nine Mexican states and various eateries in Mexico City.
Chief of the Venustiano Carranza borough Israel Moreno Rivera spoke at the event, along with Mexico City Governance Secretary Patricia Mercado. Mercado said that, “the torta is a ‘mestizo’ dish. It reflects our European roots with its bread and meat and our indigenous roots with its chili, avocado and tomato.”
After government officials spoke, the audience anticipated the main event. Large slabs of bread were brought out and lined up on several tables, followed by various types of sandwich fillings ranging from everything from hotdogs to octopus. The giant torta was like 85 different sandwiches all in one, as each participating business was assigned a specific station, preparing their own unique interpretation of the classic Mexican comfort food. Once the setup was complete, chefs raced frantically beat last year’s record. After successfully building the torta, it was cut up into small pieces and distributed to the public.
The Feria de la Torta will take place at the Delegación Venustiano Carranza on the corner of Francisco del Paso y Troncoso and Fray Servando Teresa de Mier from Aug. 27-31. It is located close the Moctezuma Metro station on the pink line and Mixhuca on the brown line.