World's Largest Nachos Event Draws Huge Crowd;Benefits Children's Center and Homeless.

News/Assignment Editors, Food Writers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2000

Massive 1,052 pound appetizer created by

Tillamook Cheese and McCormick & Schmick's

It was a sight not often seen in Southern California -- chefs racing with children to pile over 80,000 thousand tortilla chips, 22 pounds of Tillamook sour cream, 40 pounds of hot jalapeno peppers, and 510 pounds of Tillamook cheese onto a 12-foot plate to create the World's Largest Nachos.

Tillamook Cheese and McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants created this enormous appetizer in just one hour as part of an event benefiting the Westside Children's Center in Los Angeles.

The giant nachos weighed 1,052 pounds, and measured approximately 12 feet long by four feet wide. They stood over 24 inches high and were topped with an enormous 12-pound lobster. To melt the hundreds of pounds of cheese, chefs used giant blowtorches much in the same way they would to make a creme brulee.

The event surrounding the World's Largest Nachos' creation took place Friday, March 31, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in El Segundo, California. Children enjoyed free games, and all attendees were able to purchase personal-sized nachos and raffle tickets for a minimal donation. All proceeds benefited the Westside Children's Center. In addition, the giant nachos were donated to the Los Angeles Veteran's Administration/Inglewood.

"We originally decided to create the World's Largest Nachos as a fun and unique way to raise money for a very worthy charity, and are thrilled with the turn-out for the event," said Chris Dinsdale, vice president of Tillamook Food Sales. "McCormick & Schmick's chefs are masters with any kind of food, and did a great job of making the nachos not only impressive to look at but tasty to eat."

Those who are interested in checking out the World's Largest Nachos via satellite have two options: Friday, March 31 KU space 23:00-23:15 ET (8:00-8:15pm PT) GE3KU17; and Saturday, April 1 C space 11:00-11:15 ET (8:00-8:15am PT) T6C/12. In addition, Tillamook's Web site (www.tillamookcheese.com) and McCormick & Schmick's Web site (www.mccormickandschmicks.com) will showcase photos of the event after April 3.

About Westside Children's Center