The World Record For Most Pancakes Served At One Time Is Totally Ridiculous

"Record-breaking is a serious business," according to Guinness World Records, and we would very much like to nod and agree. Indeed, we'd like to think that we're doing all that we can to encourage the Guinness World Records holders to keep doing what they've always been doing to fascinate and titillate us ordinary folks who've never even dared to imagine setting a world record for anything. Nevertheless, "serious" is not necessarily the word we would use to describe the setting of records for such things as the tallest stack of M&Ms, the longest curly fry, or the longest team barbecue marathon. That being said, every once in a while, the setting of a world record ends up landing right on the sweet spot where "fascinating" and "titillating" converge with "serious." That was certainly the case when, on June 24, 2021, the regional supermarket, Hy-Vee, set a world record for the largest serving of pancakes (via Guinness World Records). 

Not only did Hy-Vee blast the existing record for the most pancakes served at one time (which, as you'll see below, was already pretty ridiculous), but they also managed to feed 15,000 families in need. Here's the heartwarming story.

Hy-Vee broke the existing Guinness World Record for most pancakes served at one time (12,716, which was set in Moscow in 2017) by serving up a total of 13,000 pancakes on June 24, 2021, in Blue Springs, Missouri (via Hy-Vee press release). All 13,000 pancakes, which were expected to feed more than 1,600 families (or a total of 6,500 individuals), were donated to Harvesters —aka "The Community Food Network" — which is a Kansas City-area food bank.

"What better way to celebrate the launch of our new breakfast menu than with a Guinness World Records," commented Tina Potthoff, senior vice president of communications for Hy-Vee. "We are extremely appreciative of our amazing employees who helped make this event a success, and we are grateful for the partnership with Harvesters, which allows us to help feed those who are food insecure." 

"Despite a torrential thunderstorm in the middle of the attempt, 18 chefs worked on six propane griddles over seven hours to make the pancakes," the Community Food Network told Guinness World Records. The occasion for Hy-Vee's successful attempt at world record-breaking was the launching of its new breakfast menu, which Hy-Vee is calling the "Best Breakfast in America." Please note, however, that Guinness World Records has not ruled on who actually has the best breakfast in America. With that being said, here is our take on where to get the best breakfast in each state.