A summertime Maine seafood favorite should soon be part of the record books.
Together with a Portland, Maine, neighborhood association, seafood company Linda Bean's Perfect Maine of Port Clyde on Sunday created what is believed to be the longest lobster roll ever made.
A typical lobster roll contains cooked lobster meat with mayonnaise and seasonings in a grilled hot dog roll, but the giant sandwich unveiled at Portland's annual Old Port Festival comprised one custom-made, 60-foot roll that had to be carried down the street by a local women's roller derby team.
A total of 48 pounds of lobster knuckle-and-claw meat and a couple of gallons of Miracle Whip mayonnaise were used to make the sandwich, which officially measured 61 feet, 9 inches in length, exceeding the team's goal of 60 feet. A large crowd gathered to watch the lobster roll assembled in front of seafood restaurant Portland Lobster Co. on Commercial Street.
Linda Bean's Perfect Maine Executive Chef Margaret Salt McLellan, who will represent the state of Maine at next month's Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans, organized the sandwich's production, which she said took two weeks of planning.
The sandwich was officially measured, with Portland Mayor Jill Duson as a witness, and then cut into 4-inch sections that were sold for $20 each. Those who paid for their piece of history also received a certificate of participation, along with a drink, a bag of chips and a coupon for a lobster roll at a sponsoring restaurant.
The West End Neighborhood Association event raised $3,600, which will pay for swimming lessons for 250 needy children.
The association intends to get the roll certified by Guinness World Records.
June 7, 2009
