More than 360 select Loblaw banner stores across Canada simultaneously
break 1,008 wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for world record
BRAMPTON, ON, March 24, 2014 /CNW/ - (TSX:L) Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) announced today that they became the new official world record holder
for the most wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese cracked
simultaneously, as declared by a Guinness World Records® adjudicator. Officially, 1,008 wheels were cracked in more than 360 Loblaw banner stores simultaneously
across Canada. Additional results are still being tabulated...
Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard Italian cheese produced in the provinces
of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena or Bologna, using the same recipe for
almost 1,000 years. It takes 11 steps to crack a 34-kilogram cheese
wheel in the traditional style and requires special cheese cracking
knives and training.
"Today was a memorable day for Loblaw and our colleagues. It was an
overwhelming experience to celebrate this achievement with our
customers and store teams at more than 360 stores; we couldn't have
done it without them," said Metzi Liau, Senior Category Director, Loblaw Companies Limited.
"Our colleagues were specially trained to crack the wheels in the
traditional style upheld by Italy's Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Consortium, and we are thrilled to have achieved this world record."
At the Loblaws® at Maple Leaf Gardens* in Toronto, Loblaws® Angus in Montreal, Provigo® Le Marché in Charlesbourg, Loblaws CityMarket™ in North Vancouver and Atlantic Superstore® in Dartmouth locations, representatives from Mulino, Pargmigiano
Reggiano maker were in attendance. In Toronto, a member of the Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Consortium and Guinness World Records® adjudicator looked on as colleagues and customers cheered
cheese-crackers to victory. Using special cheese-cracking knives, each
of the 34-kilogram wheels were cracked and customers sampled the
freshly cracked cheese.
"It is exciting for us to witness Loblaw earn the title of Guinness World Records® holder for the most wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese broken simultaneously; we take great pride in
the production and quality of this cheese," said Stefano Greiner, Mulino Alimentare Export Manager. "Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the most carefully produced and thoroughly
enjoyed cheeses in the world. For centuries, it has been considered the
'king of cheese' for its incredible taste and crystalline texture.
The Consortium is the group of dairy producers and cheese makers
designated to preserve the integrity and quality of each wheel of
Parmigiano Reggiano created. They also raise awareness of Parmigiano
Reggiano around the world. The Consortium is officially assigned to
the task of adhering to the specifications outlined by the PDO
(Protected Designation of Origin), when inspecting each wheel of
Parmigiano-Reggiano.
About Loblaw Companies Limited:
The Company is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited ("Weston"). It is
Canada's largest food retailer, a leading provider of drugstore,
general merchandise and financial products and services, and is the
majority unitholder of Choice Properties™, an owner, manager and
developer of commercial real estate across Canada. The Company has
three reportable operating segments: Retail, Financial Services and
Choice Properties. Loblaw and its franchisees together are among the
largest private sector employers in Canada, employing approximately
138,000 full-time and part-time employees across more than 1,000
corporate and franchise stores from coast to coast. Through its
portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians
with a wide range of products and services to meet everyday household
and consumer needs. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and
value of its food offering. It offers one of Canada's strongest control
brand programs, including the unique President's Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh® brands. In addition, through its subsidiaries, the Company makes
available to consumers President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points and PC Plus™ loyalty programs.
SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited
Image with caption: "Loblaw banner stores across Canada break the world record for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels cracked simultaneously. (CNW Group/Loblaw Companies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140324_C6779_PHOTO_EN_38261.jpg
Image with caption: "Loblaw banner stores across Canada, including Real Canadian Superstores, break the world record for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels cracked simultaneously. (CNW Group/Loblaw Companies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140324_C6779_PHOTO_EN_38262.jpg
Image with caption: "Loblaw banner stores across Canada, including Atlantic Superstores, break the world record for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels cracked simultaneously. (CNW Group/Loblaw Companies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140324_C6779_PHOTO_EN_38263.jpg
Image with caption: "Provigo banner stores join Loblaw stores across Canada and break the world record for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels cracked simultaneously. (CNW Group/Loblaw Companies Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140324_C6779_PHOTO_EN_38264.jpg
