New Haven has bolstered its claim as the “pizza capital of the U.S.” with an event for the record books—literally.
Led by Colin Caplan of Taste of New Haven, the city threw the world’s largest pizza party on Friday, September 12, and that’s official, according to none other than Guinness World Records. The event broke the record previously set on January 21, 2023, at the University of Tulsa.
The Tulsa party, thrown by Andolini’s Pizzeria in Tulsa, drew 3,357 people and was certified by Guinness World Records. To which Caplan said, “Hold my beer (and my slice).”
New Haven eclipsed that milestone with 4,525 partygoers, who had gathered for the city’s 10th annual Grand Prix cycling race and A-1 Toyota Apizza Feast. And once again a Guinness World Records adjudicator was present to oversee the proceedings and enforce strict rules—every person in attendance had to eat two slices apiece in the allotted 15-minute period.
Presumably, one-and-a-half slices does not a pizza party make.
Participants were also required to stick around for the full event, which ran from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
It took 10,000 slices to feed the crowd. Big Green Truck Pizza, owned by Liane Page, brought in eight food trucks to supply the pies for the party, while numerous other local pizzerias sold slices throughout the Apizza Feast. “It’s history,” Page told the Stamford Advocate. “I’m elated and blessed. I’ve never felt so excited [and] happy. I have my family here with me. I could cry.”
“Congratulations, New Haven,” Guinness World Records adjudicator Thomas Bradford told the assemblage after announcing the party’s record-breaking attendance. “You are all officially amazing!”
“Thank you for all the faith you had in coming out when you read about 40 paragraphs of rules and took part in making this thing happen,” Caplan told the cheering crowd. “You guys are awesome. We are a pizza city. We are the pizza capital of the United States. And now New Haven’s home to the world’s largest pizza party.”
Also addressing the crowd, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker noted, “New Haven has once again demonstrated its pizza supremacy and why the Elm City is the pizza capital of the country and the world. New Haven apizza can’t be beat!”
“This event would not have happened without the pizza champion of New Haven, Colin Caplan,” Elicker pointed out. “So we are yet again on the map, and we challenge anyone to take us out.”
In a September 7 post on Instagram, Caplan explained his motivation for setting a new world record for his community. “I dedicate myself to this for the biggest reason of all: to give back to the city that raised me, to give something great that we can all experience together and celebrate,” Caplan wrote. “My work is my passion, and my passion is helping to raise up my community.”
