Philadelphia smashes cheesesteak world record to feed unpaid TSA workers

A new Guinness World Record was set at Philadelphia International Airport on Monday. Organisers created the longest line of cheesesteak sandwiches ever made, stretching across Terminals B and C. The event also supported TSA workers affected by the government shutdown. The record-breaking attempt was led by Clarence LeJeune of MarketPlace PHL, which manages airport food services. Volunteers assembled 1,291 cheesesteaks along tables in the terminal walkway, smashing the previous record of 500 sandwiches. Michael Empric, an official Guinness adjudicator, oversaw the event to ensure compliance with the rules.

All food used in the attempt had to be either eaten or donated, as per Guinness guidelines. After certification, the sandwiches were handed out to travellers, airport staff, and TSA agents. Many of these workers were going without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The cheesesteak itself is a Philadelphia staple, dating back to the early 1900s. While the sandwich has few strict rules, using Swiss cheese is often frowned upon as non-traditional. Despite its iconic status, no city—including Philadelphia—has ever declared an official 'National Cheesesteak Day' to celebrate it. The record now stands at 1,291 cheesesteaks in a single line. The donated sandwiches provided meals for unpaid TSA staff during the shutdown. The event highlighted both Philadelphia's culinary pride and community support for federal workers.