Organizers at the Ottawa Shawarma Festival set a Guinness World Record for the longest shawarma wrap on June 7, 2024 [4].
The event combined a culinary milestone with community support, using the record attempt to generate visibility for a local food charity. By creating a massive chain of wraps, the organizers aimed to surpass a previous Canadian record while providing meals to those in need.
The record-breaking attempt took place in the ByWard Market during the festival, organized by local chain Shawarma Palace and its creator, Moe Mosalam [0]. To achieve the title, the team assembled 2,451 individual shawarmas [1]. This total surpassed the previous record set in London, Ontario, in 2019, which consisted of 2,287 sandwiches [3].
Reports on the final length of the wrap vary between sources. One account said the line reached approximately 350 metres, or 1,148 feet [2]. Another report said the length was 375 metres [2]. The massive assembly stretched across the market, drawing crowds to witness the verification of the Guinness World Record.
Following the official measurement, the organizers did not discard the food. The assembled shawarmas were donated to Shepherds of Good Hope, a charity providing services to people experiencing homelessness in Ottawa [0]. This ensured that the 2,451 wraps served a practical purpose beyond the pursuit of a world record [1].
“The team assembled 2,451 individual shawarmas”
This event demonstrates the use of 'stunt philanthropy,' where businesses leverage the pursuit of a Guinness World Record to drive foot traffic and social media engagement while providing tangible benefits to local charities. By breaking a regional record previously held by another Ontario city, Shawarma Palace strengthened its brand identity within the competitive Ottawa food scene.
