Lebanon holds the world record for the largest hummus dish. Guinness World Records lists a 10,452-kilogram serving made in Beirut on May 8, 2010.
The record was produced by Chef Ramzi Choueiri and students from Al-Kafaat University. Around 300 student chefs prepared the hummus, which was served on a specially made ceramic plate measuring 7.17 meters in diameter.
The achievement came during the so-called “hummus wars,” a highly publicized contest involving chefs and food organizations in Lebanon and Israel. The competition was tied not only to record-setting but also to arguments about the cultural ownership and national identity associated with hummus.
The record has changed hands several times. Israel briefly reclaimed it in January 2010, but Lebanon regained it in May of that year with a serving more than twice as heavy as the previous Israeli record. Guinness currently lists Lebanon’s 10,452-kilogram serving.