September brings more than autumn leaves to New Haven—it delivers the city’s boldest culinary gambit yet. The Connecticut pizza powerhouse plans to shatter the Guinness World Record for largest pizza party, assembling 5,000 participants on September 12 at the storied New Haven Green.
Steam rises from countless apizza ovens as the city prepares for its most audacious food spectacle. Colin Caplan, founder of Taste of New Haven and the event’s architect, orchestrates this meticulously planned assault on the record books. Unlike casual pizza gatherings, this attempt demands rigid adherence to Guinness standards—every participant must consume two complete slices while remaining within the Green’s boundaries for the entire three-hour window.
The current record, held by Tulsa, Oklahoma since January 2023, stands at 3,357 people. New Haven’s target represents a 50% increase, requiring unprecedented coordination between local pizzerias, city officials, and volunteer stewards stationed throughout the crowd.
Beyond the Numbers Game
Mayor Justin Elicker frames this effort as cultural validation rather than mere spectacle. The city’s apizza heritage, rooted in Italian immigrant traditions, faces constant comparison to pizza capitals like New York and Chicago. This record attempt transforms civic pride into measurable achievement—a global platform for New Haven’s culinary identity.
“Playing by the rules matters,” Caplan emphasizes, distinguishing this legitimate attempt from publicity stunts. Official witnesses, approximately one per 100 participants, ensure every slice consumed counts toward the final tally.
The A-1 Toyota Apizza Feast and New Haven Grand Prix provide the festival framework, transforming the Green into a sprawling celebration. Making pizza at home pales in comparison to this communal celebration, where dozens of local pizzerias contribute their signature pies, while food trucks, live music, and family activities extend the festivities beyond the mandatory record window.
Success would cement New Haven’s position among America’s pizza elite—not through opinion polls or food critic rankings, but through an internationally recognized achievement. The city bets its reputation on the simple act of 5,000 people sharing pizza on a September afternoon, hoping to prove that authentic apizza culture deserves global recognition.
