Sun Prairie's Village Hearth Provides Bun for Longest Brat in a Bun Record at 2013 Brat Fest (Facebook)

NEW “UNOFFICIAL” LONGEST BRAT-IN-A-BUN RECORD SET AT 2013 BRAT FEST
Johnsonville Sausage, Pan-O-Gold Baking Company Set “Unofficial” Record at 54 Feet, 10 Inches
  
MADISON, Wis., May 25, 2013 – After several weeks of practice and preparation, 28 pounds of fresh pork and 45 pounds of dough, Johnsonville and Pan-O-Gold exceeded the current world record for the “longest brat-in-a-bun.”

The “unofficial” record attempt took place today at the 31st annual Brat Fest, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. With Rep. Mark Pocan serving as the “brat authenticator,” the brat-in-a-bun measured 54 feet and 10 inches. Metcalfe said the record-breaking attempt is unofficial as it will not be sanctioned by any official organization.* His goal was to exceed the current record, set just last October in Prescott, Wis., when a 52.2’ brat-in-a-bun was made and served.

Staff from Pan O’ Gold’s Village Hearth bread brand carefully unwrapped their freshly baked steak bun and set it alongside the brat grilling on a handmade cinder block grill. Approximately 20 volunteer grillers then carefully rotated the lengthy brat, which took approximately 30 minutes to cook thoroughly, according to Johnsonville’s R&D Scientist, Jonathan Pleitner. “We turned the brat every 5-8 minutes, very carefully so as not to split the casing.”  Johnsonville used its traditional bratwurst recipe in this effort.

This record-breaking attempt was the second time around for Pan-O-Gold, which used its Village Hearth steak bun recipe. The company was the bun participant in last year’s event in Prescott. “This bun was the largest we’ve ever made, using 26 pounds of flour,” said Dan Futato, Vice President and General Manager for Pan ‘O Gold.

Approximately 50 bags of Kingsford charcoal were used. Once the brat was grilled to perfection, Brat Fest staff and volunteers rolled the Johnsonville brat from the grill onto the Village Hearth bun, cut and served up 110 six-inch brat sandwiches at $4 each. The proceeds from this record brat-in-a-bun were designated for the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts. This and other Brat Fest activities are expected to raise more than $100,000 for nearly 90 Madison-area charities that assisted with the three-day event, held annually over the Memorial Day weekend. Metcalfe said more than $1.2 million has been raised to date since Brat Fest began in the early 1980s.

Blogger's Note: Great businesses, great fun, and a great cause.  Thanks to all the folks at Village Hearth for their time and effort, as well as all the other great Wisconsin businesses involved in this event.