Sommelier's Epic Feast: 28 Restaurants, One Day

Joshua Fyksen, a sommelier, recently set a Guinness World Record by dining at 28 Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City within 24 hours. He began his culinary marathon last May at 3 p.m., starting with a tuna tostada and concluding with a single oyster at Gramercy Tavern just before the 24-hour mark. Each stop required him to finish the entire dish served, with one notably large potato-filled sosa taking over eight minutes to consume.

The record-breaking effort incurred a cost of $1,451.34, encompassing food and transportation expenses. Fyksen encountered several obstacles, including a restaurant closure the day prior and one establishment being unavailable for lunch. A significant setback occurred when he left his credit card at Le Pavillon, adding over thirty minutes to his schedule. Securing reservations at these highly sought-after establishments was also a major challenge, requiring meticulous planning and direct contact with restaurants.

Despite the intensity, Fyksen reported savoring the experience, emphasizing his enjoyment of all the food. Some standout dishes included a scallop dumpling at Tuome and a Jonah crab dish at Le Pavillon. While Fyksen has held the record, he acknowledges that others may surpass it. He noted that his wife helped document the feat and that after completing the official record, they visited a non-Michelin-starred spot, The Corner Store, for dinner.