Pioneers of world's largest hot cross bun

27 Jul 2009

After an adjudication waiting period, Safari Dried Fruit and Sasko's attempt for the world's largest hot cross bun, which took place on 4 April 2009 in Cape Town, has officially been awarded the Guinness World Record title.

Safari, Sasko and Danisco staff overjoyed at a successful attempt of 103 kg.

The Pioneer Food brands joined forces in conjunction with Danisco to bake the world's biggest hot cross bun, weighing in at 103 kg's at the Sasko Enterprise Bakery in Kenilworth. Safari supplied the sultanas and raisins, Sasko provided the dry ingredients and industrial sized baking facilities and product developing company, Danisco, assisted with perfecting the recipe and logistics required for the giant hot cross bun.

The previous record stood at 81.62kg, which was set in 2005 by a bakery in Belfast, Ireland. The new record of 103kg is equivalent to approximately 1,300 individual hot cross buns.

One of the challenges was designing a special pan that had to be specially manufactured by Marsden Bakeware Engineers for this project and had to measure 1.8 metres in diameter. Guinness World Record guidelines stated that the big hot cross bun had to resemble a normal hot cross bun in every way, containing all the same ingredients and following all the same preparation and baking procedures. Another attempt took place elsewhere in Cape Town during the same period, but Safari and Sasko's carefully executed logistics nabbed the prestigious world record.

The giant hot cross bun was taken to the Red Cross Children's Hospital immediately after baking where it was shared amongst the young patients as an early Easter treat.

According to Lydia Britz, Safari's brand manager, they are thrilled to share the new Guinness World Record with Sasko. “We hope that this achievement will inspire an even greater Easter spirit in the future and complement our brands as the leaders in the dried fruit and baking products categories respectively.”

“This was a very exciting, albeit challenging adventure and a perfect opportunity to reinforce Safari's tried and trusted brand image as a market leader. Our strategic partnership with Sasko and Danisco, both companies that have a long-standing reputation in the baking industry, made this whole project worthwhile and successful,” concludes Britz.