Cornell Hotel School Students vie for World Record with Charitable Event

What do more than 3,500 spring roll wrappers, 400 pounds of vermicelli noodles, 250 pounds each of carrots and cucumbers, 80 pounds of lettuce and lots of sauce make? Cornell Hotel School students plan to turn these ingredients into the World's Longest Spring Roll (400m/1,315 ft.) on Saturday, April 30 in Barton Hall. This attempt at a new Guinness world record - called "Roll for Relief" (R4R) - will benefit tsunami relief efforts. 

Hotel School seniors Howard Ho and Garnie Nygren expect to raise thousands for the Tzu Chi Foundation, a worldwide charity organization based in Taiwan that provides medical care, supplies and housing to people affected by the December 2004 tsunami.

"We hope that this event will be a chance for the students, faculty and staff of the Cornell Hotel School and the campus community to unite behind a great cause," said Ho.

Taking part will be students and faculty from each of Cornell's seven undergraduate colleges and the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Johnson School and the Law School. The college or school raising the most money prior to the event will have its name immortalized in the Guinness World Records book as the creator of the "World's Longest Spring Roll." Additionally, the top student and faculty fundraiser from each college will be awarded the "First Bite Prize" and will be the first to taste the record-setting spring roll.

The Dean's Office in the School of Hotel Administration (SHA) is also providing funding for the project, along with SHA student organizations. Wegmans Ithaca is a lead sponsor, donating all ingredients in addition to providing volunteers to help assemble the roll.

More than 100 volunteers from the Hotel School and Wegmans will gather to assemble the massive spring roll, which will be created in the shape of the Cornell 'C' around the Barton Hall track. Volunteers will be divided into three teams to lay down the rice paper, place the fillings, and roll the roll. The process, which starts at 2 p.m., is expected to take up to two hours and will be overseen by culinary specialists, student leaders and a public health official.

From 4:30-6:00 p.m., individual portions will be sold for a minimum donation of $5 each. Participants will receive a commemorative wristband marking the occasion, "Let Love Roll." SHA student organizations plan to sponsor a spring roll eating contest and entertainment will be provided by local bands. Any unsold portions will be donated to Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County.

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