Texas store sets charcuterie Guinness world record

Nothing says happy 30th like a giant tray of cheese and meat.

What's happening: Homegrown Central Market celebrated its 30th anniversary Wednesday by successfully creating a 20-foot-by-14-foot charcuterie board, the largest in the world.

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• The massive board — filled with 1,000 pounds of artisanal meats and cheeses, accompanied by crackers, fruits, nuts and other treats — earned the North Lamar store a Guinness World Record for the milestone.

How they did it: The store assembled dozens of mini-trays, each one put on a scale in front of an independent weights specialist, before being placed on a giant board.

A Central Market employee holds a map of the charcuterie layout as it's assembled. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

By the numbers: Ahead of the event, Central Market said the board would be made up of 540 pounds of cured meats, 240 pounds of Manchego and triple-cream brie cheeses, 130 pounds of fruits, and 90 pounds of Divina fig spread and Janet's Finest mixed berry jalapeño compote.

• The previous record was 769 pounds , set by a Florida gourmet charcuterie company.

What they're saying: "We love charcuterie and cheese — it's part of our DNA at Central Market, and we love a big moment and love a challenge," Phil Myers, director of food services at Central Market, tells Axios.

• The hams, salamis and cheeses available at Central Market are a "differentiator for us," he said.
• Following the record assessment, the food was to be chiefly distributed to employees and the Central Texas Food Bank, Myers said.

Small trays of meat are weighed before heading to the charcuterie board. A Guinness assessor (in tie) watches the operation. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

Flashback: Central Market, part of H-E-B, opened its first location at North Lamar in 1994. The high-end store was inspired by European markets featuring foods that were hard to get elsewhere.

Of note: Adjudicating Wednesday's record-setting effort, in a Guinness Book of World Records-embossed blazer, was assessor Andy Glass.

• He told Axios that his last assignment was determining whether a New Jersey restaurant had successfully set the record for number of agave beverages available.

What's next: The grocer will host a series of in-store events through Sept. 24 to celebrate the anniversary.