Who we are and what we do
Our Story
Gourmet World Records (GWR) was founded in 2025 following a concrete and widely shared realization within the culinary world: the certification of gastronomic records had become financially prohibitive and structurally inaccessible.
For many years, major record-certification bodies such as Guinness World Records or the World Record Academy have imposed fees often exceeding €20,000, including certification costs and licensing fees for logo usage. In practice, these financial barriers frequently force chefs, artisans, and gastronomic entrepreneurs to abandon ambitious projects—regardless of their technical merit or cultural value.
The Spark
The idea behind GWR was born from firsthand experience. While preparing a project to attempt the world record for the largest cheese platter, our founding members encountered these prohibitive constraints themselves. What should have been a celebration of craftsmanship, terroir, and collective effort risked being cancelled—not for lack of vision or expertise, but because access to certification had become a privilege.
One evening, gathered around a table with chefs, producers, and friends from the food and beverage industry, a simple question emerged: Why should the recognition of culinary excellence be reserved for those who can afford it?
That conversation marked the beginning of Gourmet World Records.
A Different Philosophy
GWR was created with a clear mission: to democratize culinary record creation and certification.
Our model is built on accessibility, integrity, and professional legitimacy. Gourmet World Records is:
– Financially accessible, with pricing adapted to real-world culinary projects
– Designed by chefs, for chefs, governed by professionals of the food world
– Supported by the entire F&B ecosystem, including producers, distributors, artisans, and technical experts
– Rigorous without unnecessary bureaucracy, ensuring credibility while preserving agility
We firmly believe that every record is meant to be broken, and every limit exists to be pushed further. By removing financial and administrative barriers, GWR restores freedom of ambition to culinary professionals and passionate gastronomes alike..
Inspiring Creativity and Pushing Boundaries
At its core, GWR aims to stimulate creation, imagination, and collective energy within the world of gastronomy.
By eliminating financial barriers and simplifying access to certification, we invite chefs, artisans, and lovers of the culinary arts to rethink scale, challenge conventions, and push the limits of creativity—whether through monumental banquets, technical achievements, or artistic expressions of the table.
Looking Forward
Beyond certification, Gourmet World Records seeks to foster landmark culinary events that bring together professionals, institutions, brands, and the public around shared moments of excellence and transmission.
GWR is not about records for prestige alone. It is about empowering creativity, celebrating craftsmanship, and giving gastronomy a fair, accessible, and professional stage on which to evolve.
THE TEAM
Our core team brings together decades of experience in culinary arts, food science, certification standards, and international operations.
Dr. James Morrison
Founder & Chief Adjudicator
Former Michelin inspector with 30 years of experience in culinary evaluation and international food standards. James has inspected over 2,000 establishments across 25 countries and holds a PhD in Food Science from École Nationale Supérieure d’Agronomie.
Sophie Chen
Director of Asian Operations
Renowned food historian and expert in Asian culinary traditions. Sophie oversees all GWR records across the Asia-Pacific region and serves as lead organizer for the event. She holds advanced degrees in Anthropology and Food Studies from the University of Hong Kong.
Marco Laurent
Head of Certification
International food safety specialist and former executive chef with Relais & Châteaux. Marco ensures rigorous standards in all record attempts and manages the global certification process. He is a certified HACCP auditor and food safety consultant.
Dr. Aisha Kaur
Technical Director
Food science PhD specializing in measurement standards and verification protocols for culinary achievements. Aisha develops our technical guidelines and leads the scientific validation of all record attempts. She previously worked at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Advisory Board
Our distinguished advisory board provides expertise, guidance, and credibility across diverse culinary disciplines.
Chef Elena Rossi
3 Michelin Stars • Italy
Contemporary Italian cuisine, molecular gastronomy, and sustainable sourcing practices
Prof. David Zhang
Food Science, Cornell University
Food chemistry, preservation techniques, and quality assurance methodologies
Marie Dubois
Master Chocolatier • France
Artisan chocolate production, traditional French confectionery, and quality standards
Chef Takeshi Yamamoto
Kaiseki Master • Japan
Traditional Japanese cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and presentation aesthetics
Dr. Patricia O’Brien
Food Historian • Ireland
Culinary heritage, traditional techniques, and historical recipe authentication
Juan Carlos Méndez
Master Sommelier • Spain
Wine evaluation, beverage pairings, and sensory analysis
Our Process
Every GWR certification follows a rigorous, transparent process designed to ensure accuracy, fairness, and credibility.
Application
Submit your record attempt proposal with detailed specifications, timeline, and supporting documentation.
Review
Our team reviews your application for feasibility, category fit, and adherence to safety and ethical standards.
Guidelines
Receive customized guidelines specifying exact measurement protocols, documentation requirements, and verification procedures.
Preparation
Prepare for your attempt with our support. We provide technical consultation and answer questions throughout.
Adjudication
A GWR-certified adjudicator witnesses your attempt, conducts measurements, and documents every detail.
Verification
All evidence is reviewed by our technical team to ensure standards were met and measurements were accurate.
Certification
Upon successful verification, you receive your official GWR certificate, digital badge, and media kit.
Recognition
Your achievement is added to the GWR Registry and promoted through our global channels.
Transparency & Appeals
We believe in complete transparency. If a record attempt does not meet our standards, we provide detailed feedback explaining exactly why and what would need to change for successful certification.
Applicants have the right to appeal decisions within 30 days. Appeals are reviewed by a panel that did not participate in the original adjudication, ensuring fairness and impartiality.