World's Largest Lefse
Located two and a half hours Northwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota sits the small town of Starbuck, Minnesota, home of the World’s Largest Lefse.
Created on July 1, 1983, the World’s Largest Lefse measures out to be a whopping nine feet and eight inches in diameter according to the Starbuck Depot Museum website. In order to create this record breaking lefse, the creators needed to build a giant roller and giant spatula in order to effectively cook the 70-pound piece of lefse (CBS News). This gigantic piece of lefse was rolled out by the Giant Lefse Baking Team; Maurice Amundson, John Gorder, Tilford Jergenson, Luverne Jorgenson, Larry Kittelson, Earl Larson, Chuck Whalquist, and Maurice Walline.
In order to make sure that the title of World’s Largest Lefse was authentic, carpenter John Groder (who knew how to read a Norwegian tape measure) measured out the lefse by standing on the griddle. Along with notary Chuck Wahlquist. Both members of the Giant Lefse Baking Team. (Starbuck Depot Museums)
The crowds gathered to watch the creation of the Giant Lefse unfold. Chief Baker Larry Kittelson placed the dough onto a backers cloth covered hay rack in order for it to be rolled out by Luverne Jorgenson and Tilford Jergenson with a rather large rolling pin under the eyes of Maurice Amundson and Earl Larson who watched for any tears that would cause the downfall of the record setting event. In order to transfer the Giant Lefse from the hay rack to the griddle, the Giant Lefse Baking Team rolled the lefse over the rolling pin, moved it over the hot griddle, and deposited it. In order to prevent the lefse from sticking, Lefse Chairman Maurice Amundson sprayed the hot griddle.
After the World’s Largest Lefse was done cooking, the members of the Giant Lefse Baking Team cut the piece of lefse into smaller pieces. The barricades separating the crowds from the baking area were lifted and pieces of the lefse were buttered, sprinkled with sugar, and handed out to anyone who wanted a piece.
Each May, Lefse Dagen or Lefse Days is celebrated on the 18th. This is a festival for people to learn to make lefse, eat lefse, and celebrate lefse (Starbuck Depot Museums).