UMass Rolls Longest California

The University of Massachusetts  (UMass) students have put their  culinary skills to test apart from testing   their academics. The event featured the Food Network’s Jet Tila, who kicked off the construction of the sushi roll alongside Chancellor Robert C. Holub, Wally the Green Monster, the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox and UMass’ own mascot, Sam the Minuteman.

The record was formerly held by the University of California-Berkeley after they created a 330-foot California roll . The UMass   Chancellor Holub  challenged the University of California Berkeley and said that UMass would go out of their way to  break  and conquer all the records from UC Berkeley. Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Ken Toong said the activity was a bonding activity for the University. The event showed that as all  got together it went on to create a great record breaking activity it.

During the late afternoon, more than 300 volunteers and UMass dining staff donned matching t-shirts and caps, and gathered at the Haigis Mall to make the 422 ft long  California Roll . After watching a short how-to video on sushi preparation, the group formed a line along dozens of tables. The tables were marked every 20 feet with markers, and adorned with signs reading, “UMass Amherst Presents the World’s Longest California Roll. The  rollers began laying out ingredients at the right time , as a crowd gathered to watch. Toong further added that  seafood and local vegetables  are the perfect examples of  nutritious and sustainable food supply.

The volunteers crammed together, often grazing elbows as they laid 650 sheets of nori seaweed, covered in 200 pounds of rice and sesame seeds, and filled with 200 pounds of Alaskan surimi- imitation crab- 100 pounds of cucumber, and 100 pounds of avocado. Chef Tila was motivating the crowds and volunteers with his pep talk. He  reiterated that one must believe  and visualize  one’s victory and self worth.

Toong was also particularly happy to be able to make the event part of the school's Green Welcome Barbecue and therefore to engage so many new students and other new members of the community.

The  Longest California Roll measured  422 ft in length and was set by University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Massachusetts, United  States of America on September 20, 2010.