Sandwich Makers To Break Record For Largest Cuban Sandwich At Fest

TAMPA, FL — The 12th annual Ford International Cuban Sandwich Festival returns to Centennial Park in Ybor City Sunday, May 28 where Cuban sandwich makers traveling from as far as Japan will be on hand to participate in the Big Cuban Sandwich Smackdown, vying to win the award for the best Cuban sandwich.

In addition, sandwich makers will line up along 18th street to create a 290-foot Cuban sandwich. This sandwich will then be cut up and used to feed 600 homeless people.

The record is currently held by Kissimmee, which created a 285-foot sandwich that fed more than 700 homeless people.

The free community festival will be held on three streets in Ybor City as well as Ybor's historic Centennial Park, 1800 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, from noon to 6 p.m.

General admission is free.

A VIP area will be set up at the Ybor City Museum Gardens. VIP tickets are available here.

This food and art community event is part of a worldwide festival to find the best Cuban sandwiches in the world.

During the Big Cuban Sandwich Smackdown, restaurants from throughout the United States and globally will compete for the title of Best Cuban Sandwich in the World.

The Tampa winner will receive a golden ticket to compete in the world food championships.

Guests will also enjoy food, art, live music and dance performances by Fred Lopez y Su Nuevo Afinque, Rumberos De Tampa Bay and Los Talentosos. Plus, there will be free salsa dance lessons by Salsabroso.

VIP guests will enjoy tasting all the Cuban sandwich contest entries plus enjoy dancing and performances by Elevation Band and Flamenco dancing and dance lessons.

Johnnie Rivera-Vaya will DJ the event and the emcee will be chris Maloof. VIP celebrity judges will include Cuban actor Roberto Escobar, Mayor Olga Gonzalez, Louis Capdevila, Danny Alvarez Sr., Leo Alvarez and Great Day LIVE.

Sponsors for the event are Ford, the Ybor City Development Corp., the City of Tampa, the Hispanic Resource Family Cultural Center, Latin Times Media, 92.5 Maxima, Telemundo, Prime TV, THIS TV, MOR-TV, Estrella TV, La Teresita Restaurant, Mike’s Bakery, the Deviled Pig, Ybor City Museum and Museum Gardens State Park.

The event is organized by the nonprofit Hispanic Resource Family Cultural Center Inc., a Christian-based organization formed to provide charitable relief to the poor, distressed, disadvantaged or underprivileged Hispanic/Latino or bilingual and minority communities by promoting education, training and awareness programs.