Guinness judge details mofongo record requirements
Guinness World Records international judge Susana Reyes is overseeing Santiago 's official bid to win the title of " world's largest green plantain ball " as part of the " Santiago Inspira" food event .
Since arriving at Parque Central , where the gigantic preparation based on the traditional Dominican mofongo recipe is cooked live, Reyes has been in charge of verifying every stage of the process, from preparation to final weighing, with the goal of ensuring that the demanding international standards are met.
"The plantain ball must remain in one piece, in its original shape , and be measured only once. The entire process must be carried out under hygienic and safe conditions ," Reyes explained, referring to the main requirements for the record to be valid.
One of the most delicate moments of the day occurred when a stray dog unexpectedly crossed the center of the preparation area, causing great concern among the organizers and the technical team .
Since one of the most important criteria for Guinness is the safety of the space and utensils, the incident generated tension , as it is still unknown whether this fact will affect the final verdict .
Despite this unforeseen event, preparations continue as planned.
The goal is to exceed the minimum weight of 200 kilograms (440 pounds) required by Guinness , with a goal estimated by the organizers of more than 1,400 pounds of mofongo , made with 5,500 plantains , 800 pounds of pork rinds and 400 gallons of chicken broth.
Reyes reiterated that although the dish is known locally as mofongo , the Guinness - approved global title is " world's largest green plantain ball ," as official names should be understandable in any country.
He also clarified that this is a completely new title: "There is no record registered with this name or with this type of preparation anywhere else in the world."
The technical team leading the cooking process is made up of more than 90 people , including professional chefs, culinary students, and volunteers, who work in shifts under strict cold chain , temperature control, and hygiene standards.
Clara Olivo , the event 's main promoter, expressed her hope that the entire effort would not be compromised by external factors.
"We have worked with rigor, with heart, and with profound respect for the rules . What happened to the dog was unfortunate, but we trust it will be evaluated fairly. Santiago deserves this recognition," Olivo said.
The official weigh-in is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. , although regulations allow the process to be completed until 11:00 p.m. After the weigh-in, all mofongo must be consumed or donated safely, as food waste automatically negates the effort.
The event is part of the " Santiago Inspira" festival and is supported by organizations such as the Dominican Culinary Association , the Dominican Gastronomic College, SMA Group, the Amigos restaurant, and other partner organizations.
Another of the organizers stated, " Santiago maintains the hope of becoming the city of the world's largest mofongo , in what could be a new chapter in the culinary history of the Dominican Republic," although Guinness will have the last word.
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