26,994!: CF Chinook Centre sets new world record at Stampede pancake breakfast

The CF Chinook Centre's annual Stampede breakfast saw 26,994 pancakes served. Mark Villani reports.

CF Chinook Centre in southwest Calgary shattered the world record for most flapjacks served in eight hours Saturday morning, when it doled out almost 27,000 in a little over four hours at its annual Stampede pancake breakfast.

CF Chinook Centre general manager Darren Milne confirmed the new record shortly before noon.

“Previous Guinness Book of World Records for most pancakes served in eight hours was 25,689. That was achieved on March 1, 2025 by an IHOP in Santa Monica,” Milne wrote. “We beat the record!

“(The) new record is 26,994 now held by us, CF Chinook Centre. And we achieved that record in 4.5 hours!”

More than 25,000 visitors were expected at the rain-or-shine, first-come, first-served event, which started on a mild, cloud-covered day at 7 a.m. in the east parking lot between Chapters and Yeti.

Earlier in the day, Milne was pumped up about the prospect for making a bit of Guiness history.

“We feel really confident that we’re going to be able to beat the record,” he said.

“As long as the weather holds, we feel like we’ll get great support from Calgarians. We’re going to be able to break that record,” Milne added.

Christine Pagola, who was there with her dog Sky dressed in a Stampede outfit, had good vibes as well.

“I feel like it’s doable to break this record because it gets busier and busier every year,” Pagola said. “We’ve been going to the Chinook breakfast, I think, for a while now. So seeing it getting bigger every year is pretty cool.”

Volunteer Liam Allagonez said Calgary’s longstanding tradition of Stampede pancake breakfasts boils down to one word.

“I mean, in the end, like, it’s community, right?” said Allagonez. “Like we’re out here having some fun -- and trying to set a world record!

“And (also) you get a sense of community and family and all this.

“It feels good to have an impact in all this actually,” he added, “because, you know, I’ve been in Calgary all my life and, you know, I’ve eaten at a pancake breakfast, but I’ve never actually participated in cooking (one).

“So it’s finally good to like, you know, see how all this is made and put together.”

Seven year old Emerson Graham said he was excited.

“I’m just excited to be a part of something so amazing,” Graham said.

One of the first people in line Saturday was Dennis McLaren, who said he’s been going to pancake breakfasts in Calgary for the last 68 years.

“I grew up doing this and it was fantastic and who doesn’t love free food?” said McLaren.

“I know we’re trying to break a record,” he added, “so I’ll start by taking three pancakes to get us started on the record.”

There were pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for everyone, along with a Kiddie Corral and outdoor retail market.

There were live performances by Madeline Merlo, Tony Stevens, Nolan Compton and Hayley Isabel.

The event was hosted by Jimmy and Jodi Hughes.

In 2023, the Calgary Stampede set a world record at Family Day, serving 17, 182 pancakes, which broke the old record by almost 3,000 flapjacks -- although that was ultimately bested by the IHOP in Santa Monica.