On Thursday, September 15, 2011 the Berghoff Restaurant, an iconic Chicago 114-year institution serving German American cuisine and culture, went for the Guinness World Record for the Midwest's Longest Brat. The Berghoff unveiled a 47 foot and 3 inch brat at their 26th Annual Oktoberfest celebration located on Federal Plaza (the corner of Adams and Dearborn). Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton was on hand to take the first "bite" of this historic record breaking brat. "Bites" of the brat were sold as a fundraiser for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, a Chicago-based organization that provides full-time residential, aftercare, and mentoring programs for more than 700 young men and women every year. In less than twenty minutes, the Mercy Home kids sold 135 sandwiches, raising over $1000.
Here are some stats on the Berghoff's historic 47 foot (and three inches) brat:
•Highland Bakery provided the bun, it was the longest bun they have ever baked, required 35 pounds of dough, was approximately 50 feet long and was transported in a 53 foot trailer truck.
•Schmeisser's Meats and Sausage provided the brat -- the brat weighed in at 40 pounds was made from a pork/beef mix seasoned with salt, black pepper, whole marjoram, and a touch of sugar and red paprika. Chic was the name of the pig that provided the casing for the brat.
•Hall's Rental provided the eight grills to cook the brat. The grills were lined up in front of the stage on Federal Plaza, the brat was cooked on the grills in under thirty minutes by the Berghoff Restaurant's Executive Chef Matthew Reichel.
"I am deeply grateful to Carlyn Berghoff and the Berghoff Restaurant for raising much-needed support for our young men and women, year after year. Through this wonderful celebration, the Berghoff, and everyone who attends Oktoberfest, help us provide children living at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls with the tools they need to heal, to grow, and to flourish in life. I always look forward to sharing in all of the fun and festivities surrounding this great event every fall," said Fr. Scott Donahue, president and CEO.
According to Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group CEO Carlyn Berghoff, "We wanted to mix it up this year and work with other local small businesses to not only break the Guinness World Record by cooking at 45 foot brat, but to help Mercy Home give roots and wings to at risk youth ."
The Berghoff Restaurant is one of the oldest running family owned and operated establishments located in the heart of Chicago's loop. Their Oktoberfest sponsors include: Harris Bank, Berghoff Beer, Johnsonville Brats, Pepsi, Sysco, Kendall Jackson, Canyon Road and 93-WXRT.
