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Big Cook Challenge smashes world record
79,500 meals cooked for charities in under 24 hours sets new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title
24 October 2024:
A Taunton ‘Big Cook Challenge’ to cook over 60,000 meals for local charities has set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most ready-made meals prepared in 24 hours after 400+ volunteers including south-west students, ethical catering company Thomas Franks, food redistribution charity City Harvest, and Somerset County Cricket Club worked together to achieve the new record.
Working around the clock using culinary expertise from Thomas Franks, quality surplus food from City Harvest and the help of student volunteers and parents, the epic challenge produced 79,500 meals yesterday (23 October 2024). Sixteen local charities and community groups including Taunton Food Bank, Love Somerset and the United Reformed Church Glastonbury will benefit from the record-breaking efforts as well as charitable and community organisations through City Harvest’s network of support.
The tasty and nutritious dishes served up by the team throughout 24 hours of roasting, sautéing and boiling included a vegetable casserole, vegetable curry, three bean chilli and a lentil dhal. A fleet of vehicles was also on hand to deliver the meals fresh out of the kitchen to the charity groups, driven by a team of volunteers.
Created to help those in need experiencing limited access to food and to raise awareness of food waste, the Big Cook Challenge only used edible surplus food from supermarkets and restaurants which might otherwise go to waste and mainly landfill due to overproduction, overordering, cosmetic imperfections or accidental damage.
Ten tonnes of tomatoes, three tonnes of cabbage and two tonnes of peppers were just some of the 30 tonnes of food saved during the challenge and cooked up thanks to the loan of Somerset County Cricket Club’s four commercial kitchens for the event.
An official adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS was on hand to verify the new record, now officially confirmed as a world record for the most ready-made meals prepared in 24 hours.
Said Raj Singh, Director of Charity at Thomas Franks: “Working with our Big Cook Challenge partners and volunteers we’ve achieved an incredible record-breaking title, proving the power of collective action to reduce food waste and help those experiencing food poverty. This was truly a team effort and, together, we not only served up 79,500 meals to dozens of local charities and organisations in need, but we also demonstrated how organisations can work together to create a more sustainable and compassionate future.”
Mary Parsons, Head of Food, City Harvest, said: “This is an incredible achievement for the Big Cook Challenge team who worked tirelessly to achieve the record. We’re passionate about rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste and absolutely delighted that through our partnership, we’ve been able to use some of it to create wholesome and delicious meals for people facing food poverty this winter. We’re very grateful to our donors who continuously choose to support us by donating their surplus food and ensuring it goes to a better home.”
Added Alex Kemp, Deputy Head at Wellington School: “We loved the record-breaking aspirations of this project and the opportunity for our students to learn about reducing food waste and supporting communities. The challenge also highlights the positive impact young people can make to wider society. The volunteering opportunity was identified and promoted in our school by our amazing Student Leaders, and everyone involved gained valuable hands-on experience about the importance of social responsibility.”
Finally, SCCC Commercial Director, Caroline Herbert said: “We are delighted to be supporting our Official Catering Partner, Thomas Franks on this outstanding initiative. As a Club we are committed to doing whatever we can to support the local community, and this is a project which will have genuine benefit on a number of fronts. In addition to offering the use of our commercial kitchens, a number of our staff assisted with the challenge throughout the day. We are delighted to be partnering with an organisation which shares our community-driven values.”
