Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced last week that Guinness World Records has confirmed that the company has set a record for “Most Parmigiano Reggiano Wheels Cracked Simultaneously” to honor the tradition and celebration of the cheese.

The successful record achievement was attempted at hundreds of the grocer’s stores, including the Redmond market.

“This company-wide event represented Whole Foods Market’s passion for Parmigiano Reggiano and it was a fabulous celebration of a true hand-crafted work of art,” said Cathy Strange, Global Cheese Buyer for Whole Foods Market. “It was a sight to behold as our cheesemongers ‘broke open happiness’ and shared this crown jewel of cheeses with our guests. We are thrilled that Whole Foods Market has made its mark in the Guinness Book of World Records.”

Saturday, April 12 at noon was the official start time for the “cracking open” event. Whole Foods Market cheesemongers across the Company demonstrated the traditional method of breaking into 24-month-aged wheels of parmigiano reggiano using the five official knives from Italy’s Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano.

Nearly 300 wheels were opened with official recordings coming in from 176 stores.

“Guinness World Records is pleased to be a part of this exciting day,” said Laura Plunkett, Marketing Director for Guinness World Records Book. “Getting all of the stores together to set the record for the ‘Most Parmigiano Wheels Cracked Simultaneously’ is no easy feat. We applaud Whole Foods Market’s success.”

Shoppers turned out in droves to witness the company’s attempt, and stores did not disappoint.

Further information, event photos, and a video with a Whole Foods Market team member demonstrating the art of cracking open a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano can be found at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/parmigianoreggiano.