White Rock Pier achieves world’s largest charcuterie board with help from ice blankets and hawks

Canada’s longest wooden pier has become home to the world’s longest charcuterie board. 

Locally owned Sheila’s Catering Company created a 500 foot long charcuterie board — smashing the previous record of 204 feet set by high school students in California.

The charcuterie board is being hosted on the landmark, approximately 1,500 foot pier in White Rock, B.C.

Wes Levesque, director of operations for the catering company, says Sheila’s Catering is hoping to help fulfill the demand for White Rock Pier events with Charcuterie on the Pier.

“We just saw a demand and an opportunity to do a lot of good all in one and finally decided to… go ahead with it,” Levesque said. “We’re really excited.”

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Dionne Costanzo, who’s working with Sheila’s Catering Co. for the event, said the record attempt will feed 1,200 guests in three time slots.

The first slot is taking place from 2 until 4 p.m., the second will take place from 4:30 until 6 p.m. and the last will take place from 6:30 until 8 p.m.

Tickets sold to all three slots include charcuterie, a personal charcuterie board, and live entertainment, among other amenities.

All proceeds from tickets sold will go to the Sources Food Banks, Friends of the Pier, and the Semiahmoo Rotary Club.

Ice blankets and falcons keep food safe

Organizers are using everything from ice blankets to falcons to make sure the food is safe and isn’t disturbed by uninvited guests.

The 500 foot board is being made up of 250 two foot individual boards prepared off-site, and kept fresh with ice blankets and industrial grade food wraps until the time slot they’re included in has opened.

To combat White Rock’s circling seagulls, Costanzo says professional falconer Gary Worley has been hired to patrol the area with his team of experts bird handlers and accompanying birds.

“They’re going to stroll the pier during the event and the hawks serve as a natural deterrent to the seagulls,” she said. “It’s environmentally friendly, it’s safe and no birds will get harmed in this event.”

Costanzo says the attempt is a way for Sheila’s Catering to give back to its community and showcase White Rock in a unique way.

“Sheila’s catering is on a mission to smash the current world record,” Costanzo said. “They love White Rock so much and they’re so appreciative of the community and the support that they have had from the community in growing their business over the past few years.”

Guinness World Record Judges were on site to confirm the record was successfully achieved. Any usable foods leftover at the end of the day will be donated to the food bank.