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Lobster roll breaks record for length
SARAH McGINNIS Times Globe staff writer, July 2000
LOTS TO EAT: About $500 worth of lobster meat filled the 60-foot sandwich at Steamers Lobster Co. on Water Street Saturday.
As the crowd inched closer to the almost 60-foot lobster roll outside Steamers Lobster Co., Pete Stoddart asked for a moment of silence for the lobsters.
More than 140 of the crustaceans were sacrificed Saturday to break the record for the world's longest lobster roll. Using 8 pounds of lettuce, and 52 pounds of lobster meat, chefs created a sandwich 59 feet and 10 inches (about 18 metres) long. The seafood masterpiece, orchestrated outside on a string of sidewalk tables, was 11 feet longer than the previous record holder from Boston.
"Its kind of a grand opening for us, a kick off for dineaid.com and a fundraiser," explained Steamers manager Mr Stoddart.
Steamers donated the almost $500 worth of lobster meat and dineaid.com, an Internet guide to New Brunswick restaurants, helped organize the event.
Once the roll was completed and measured by local surveyors, it was cut into smaller pieces and sold to hungry spectators. The largest segment of the lobster roll was auctioned off later in the afternoon.
The $1,411 raised by this street-side seafood sale went to help develop the YM-YWCA's Glenn Carpenter Centre, a camp for needy children at Ashburn Lake.
YMCA fundraising manager Susan Giffin said they were elated with the fundraiser. "We were lucky, we were approached to be involved in this event," she said. "We were eager to be involved."
Mayor McAlary put her culinary skills to work helping construct the lobster roll.
"I think it's pretty neat," Ms. McAlary said. "It's a special idea and there's lots of excitement."
Saint John MP Elsie Wayne acted as official judge for the Guinness Book of World records. Mrs. Wayne did more than referee the size of the sandwich; she periodically sampled the lobster meat while putting the roll together.
"Quality control," she exclaimed to the crowd of almost 200 people now completely blocking one of two lanes on Water Street.
Bryan Wright, of Thunder Bay, Ont., was just visiting Saint John when he stumbled upon the event. He watched the production in amazement.
"It's . . . it's . . ." Mr. Wright said searching for the right words, "it's different."
Mr. Wright said they never throw events like this back home in Thunder Bay.
As she watched waitresses come out with bucket after bucket of pinkish lobster meat, Bev Oldfield said she thought the event was perfect for Saint John. "We're in the country where you drag lobster out of the water," Ms. Oldfield said. "It's the best lobster in the world. I know, I've eaten it down south."
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