Puerto Rican grocery store Supermercados Selectos has celebrated its 40th anniversary by becoming the first supermarket in the country to set a Guinness World Records title, specifically for the Largest serving of arroz con gandules, a delicacy in the Caribbean region.
In order for the signature cuisine was composed of rice, pigeon peas, pork and sofrito to qualify for the record title the rice needed to reach a minimum weight of 500 kg (1,102 lb). That target was exceeded by nearly 200 kg with the final weight being 697.6 kg (1,538 lb).
The pigeon peas and salt used in the recipe are Selectos brand products, and were mixed into the dish by well-known Chef Enrique Piñeiro, along with his team during a period of six hours in the city of Caguas.
In addition to traditional ingredients, tomato sauce, seasoning and oil were also added to the final recipe.
The final total was confirmed by official adjudicator Sarah Casson, who ensured all guidelines were followed and the dish was accurately measured using a crane scale.
Afterwards, plates of arroz con gandules were distributed to the 1,500 people who attended the event, as well as more than 15 communities and households in the municipality of Caguas, such as the organizations supported by FUNDESCO, the Egida Gardens of the Catalinas, the Los Velázquez Community, the Carolinas Community, among others.