Buy a “Bite” of the Historic 45 foot Brat for Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
  CHICAGO, IL (September 7, 2011) – The Berghoff Restaurant, an iconic Chicago 110-year institution serving German American cuisine and culture, goes for the Guinness World Record for the Midwest’s Longest Brat. This year, the Berghoff will unveil a 45 foot brat on Thursday, September 15, between 3-5 pm at their 26th Annual Oktoberfest celebration.  The Berghoff will cook the 45 foot brat on Federal Plaza located at the corner of Adams and Dearborn. Senator John Cullerton will take the first bite of this historic record breaking brat. “Bites” of the brat will be sold starting at 4:30 pm as a fundraiser for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, a Chicago-based organization that provides full-time residential, aftercare, and mentoring programs for more than 700 young men and women every year.   “I am deeply grateful to Carlyn Berghoff and the Berghoff Restaurant for raising much-needed support for our young men and women, year after year. Through this wonderful celebration, the Berghoff, and everyone who attends Oktoberfest, help us provide children living at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls with the tools they need to heal, to grow, and to flourish in life. I always look forward to sharing in all of the fun and festivities surrounding this great event every fall,” said Fr. Scott Donahue, president and CEO. Children from Mercy Home for Boys & Girls will be on hand to help cook and serve the brat. Berghoff’s other partners include Chicago businesses:  Highland Bakery, Schmeisser’s Meats and Sausage, and Halls Rental. According to Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group CEO Carlyn Berghoff, “We wanted to mix it up this year and work with other local small businesses to not only break the Guinness World Record by cooking at 45 foot brat, but to help Mercy Home give roots and wings to at risk youth .” Berghoff brings Bavaria to your backyard at their 26th Annual Berghoff Oktoberfest from 11 am to 9 pm on September 14-16, 2011.  This open-air celebration draws 90,000 attendees and boasts the best Bavarian-style revelry Chicago has to offer with classic German food, Berghoff’s private-label Oktoberfest beer, and Bavarian polka performances by the beloved Johnny Wagner Band.  The Berghoff Restaurant is one of the oldest running family owned and operated establishments located in the heart of Chicago’s loop. Their Oktoberfest sponsors include: Harris Bank, Berghoff Beer, Johnsonville Brats, Pepsi, Sysco, Kendall Jackson, Canyon Road and 93-WXRT.  For more information or to schedule an interview contact Amelia Dellos at   ( )  or 708.702.0406. ###