Parkes has another claim to fame, with Guinness World Records officially confirming a local farmer and a baker now hold the world record for the fastest “field to loaf.”
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In January this year, Parkes farmer Neil Unger teamed up with baker Morten Staer from Grain Growers Limited to stage an attempt to topple the record for the fastest time to produce 13 loaves of bread from a standing field of wheat.
Mr. Unger said yesterday it was welcome news, after an eight-month wait as officials considered the submission.
“This week I received confirmation that we broke the record! Officials reviewed video taken of the attempt and have determined that we now hold the new Guinness World Record,” he said.
“As gleefully announced by Mayor Ken Keith way back in Januaary. and now officially confirmed by Guinness World Records only this week, Parkes now holds the world record,” he said.
The event entitled, "MSM Milling and Manildra Group's, Paddock to Plate", was held in conjunction with the Elvis Festival.
“The record was achieved in the now record time of 16 minutes 30.83 seconds to produce 13 loaves of bread from a standing crop of wheat, obliterating the previous record set in the UK back in 1999 of 18 min. 11.4 seconds,” Mr Unger declared.
Official timekeepers, broadcaster Alan Jones, Nationals Leader Warren Truss, and Parkes Mayor Councillor Ken Keith played vital roles in the challenge of setting the new world record.
Baker Morten Staer says he’s thrilled to have been involved in the record.
The event was organised by Mr Unger as a fund raiser for Currajong Disability Services which provides living skills, accommodation and respite in the Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo areas.
“I am absolutely thrilled that after eight long anxious months, the hard work of all involved is finally vindicated by this official declaration,” he said.
“I must pay tribute to all the sponsors who so generously supported the event and to the literally hundreds who assisted in so many ways.
“Let’s not forget our baker, Mr Morten Staer of Graingrowers without whose expertise things may have been very different, along with our official judges, Mayor Keith, Mr Truss, now deputy Prime minister, and popular broadcaster, Mr Alan Jones.”
Looking back, the event was best summed up by Mayor Keith's exuberant declaration:
“Parkes now holds the World Record!
“It was a community event with such generous support that no one on their own could claim ownership of the record.
“Therefore I can announce that Parkes now does indeed hold the Guinness World record for the fastest "Field to Loaf.”
Mr Unger said the official certificate should arrive by the end of the month.
The Manildra Group and MSM Milling, both donated money to enable the attempt to double as a fundraiser for Currajong Disability Services.
Bob Mac Smith from MSM Milling said he was thrilled to witness the new record being set and was honoured to be able to financially support a community which is home to many farmers who grow wheat and canola for them.
“I take my hat off to Neil Unger for organising this event. Not only did he provide entertainment for the hundreds of visitors in town during January’s Elvis Festival, he raised vital funds for Currajong Disability Services.
“To top it off, he now holds a world record,” Mr. Mac Smith said.
