TULSA, Okla. — A world record has been set for the world’s largest pizza party on January 21, 2023.

The event was organized by Andolini’s Pizza and the World Pizza Champions group, bringing experts in from all over the country and the world, including Canada and Spain.

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The owner of Andolini’s, Mike Bausch, said the record is all about community. “I like everyday people coming together to do something that’s special, that anyone can just walked in here today and leave a Guinness World Record holder and I think there’s something to be said about that,” he said.

The record was broken at the Tulsa-Tulane men’s basketball game at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on the The University of Tulsa. The previous Guinness World Record of 1,046 was established on Sept. 8, 2019, by Istituto Romano della Pizza in Rome, Italy. The Tulsa event more than tripled that record with 3,357 people.

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The World Pizza Champions, a non-profit organization, is a benefactor of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. This event raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Erin Nantois from Make-A-Wish said she’s blown away. “Our mission at Make-A-Wish is that together we create life changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and this is what together looks like, Tulsa came out and showed up today,” she said.  Participants in the event along with event sponsors combined forces to raise $42,000.

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Michael Empric, an adjudicator with Guinness World Records, came from New York City to enforce the rules and see if Tulsa could pull it off. Before the record attempt began, Empric established the ground rules. Participants had to eat two standard-sized slices of pizza and drink a small bottle of water, fully finishing their portion in 15 minutes. If a participant could not finish their portion, they would not count towards the total. Empric explained. “We hold everyone to a very high standard at Guinness World Records. In this case, those are the guidelines, and everyone has to follow them.”

Once time was up, the results were tabulated.  Building anticipation, Empric told the crowd, that they didn’t just beat the record, they tripled it and then some. “You’re officially amazing,” Empric said as he handed over the official record-holder’s plaque to Bausch.

 

About GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS:  GWR has grown to become a global multi-media brand, with offices in London, New York, Beijing, Tokyo and Dubai. Today, we deliver world-class content, not just through books, but via TV shows, social media and live events. Our in-house consultancy works closely with brands and businesses around the world to harness the power of record-breaking and deliver award-winning campaigns and business solutions. Whatever the medium, our ultimate purpose is to make the world a more interesting, fun and positive place. Visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com

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About World Pizza Champions:  The World Pizza Champions™ team has grown into a U.S. based non-profit, multinational group made up of elite pizza professionals. Through international competition, educational outreach, public demonstrations, and community-based service the team is dedicated to promoting pizza making as a respected craft and viable career choice. Learn more at www.WorldPizzaChampions.com