You've seen Captain Hairdo on TV. But nobody busts it out like Amish ladies lighting up a 600-dish buffet.
How much tabletop do you think it would take, to hold the
world's largest buffet?
At least 500 feet, figures Holmes County Lodging Council rep, Evelyn Wooten. And that's just one of the logistical challenges she and her crew have been tackling, as they prepare to set a new Guinness World Record on Saturday, March 24. The throw down, to be held at the Holmes Country Amish Flea Market in Walnut Creek, will showcase more than 600 dishes. And no, 550 of them won't be Jell-O salad...
Holmes County claims to have the world's largest Amish population, which probably also means the world's largest concentration of Amish-style restaurants. So it's only natural that Wooten, who owns Amish Heartland Tours & Events, would be determined to wrestle the title away from current champs, the Las Vegas Hilton; they set last year's record with a paltry 510-item buffet. "I saw it on television," she says, "and I thought, 'Hey, everyone is always talking about how great the food down here is; we should be the ones to hold that record!'"
In the interest of avoiding the world' largest case of food poisoning, all cooking will be done in licensed kitchens; health department reps will also be on hand to monitor temperatures on the buffet table.
Wooten estimates there will be 3,000, spread out across three seatings, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $11 and will entitle the bearer to one pass through the buffet line -- which, as Wooten points out, should be plenty for anyone.
Order online, or by calling 330-674-3975. Sales have been brisk, so if you're going, snare yours soon.
— Elaine T. Cicora
