A family-friendly event
On May 17, 2025, we witnessed history with the world’s largest Nanaimo bar!
Layers of crunchy, creamy, chocolatey goodness, made by our baking and culinary students! It was more than 70 feet long, 1,100 pounds and packed a whopping 2.4 million calories, which were consumed collectively by the 4000+ people who came out to taste test.
Thanks to our generous sponsors for donating the ingredients as well as money towards our cause. Sponsorships, combined with donations on the day, have helped us reach our goal of funding a new oven for our culinary and baking programs!
Why we held this event
This free community event was the brainchild of VIU’s inaugural Bake Diploma class. For years, the Nanaimo Bar has been representing the city around the world. VIU students have been doing the same. Our Culinary Arts and Professional Baking and Pastry Arts programs are internationally recognized and praised by industry professionals. In these programs, VIU students gain hands-on experience that serves them well in the real world. To ensure these programs remain on the cutting edge, VIU needs to invest in new equipment to better train students.
Fundraising for new ovens
The goal of this event, beyond setting a new world record, was to raise money to buy new ovens for VIU’s Culinary Arts and Professional Baking and Pastry Arts programs. The current ovens, which are decades old, are nearing the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.
The money VIU raises through event sponsorships and t-shirt sales will go toward the purchase of these new ovens. By providing our students with the latest technology, we can continue to uphold the highest standards of education and training.
Be part of the record
Your support will help support our fundraising efforts for a second oven.
FAQs
The current record lives in Levack, Ontario, a small community 50 kilometres northwest of Sudbury, where in 2020 a local chocolatier created a 530-pound Nanaimo Bar. On May 17, VIU students will create a 1,100-pound Nanaimo Bar that will be about 70 feet long by three feet wide.
Financial donations and collaborations are appreciated. To join us as an official sponsor, please contact Andrea Tolentino, Annual Giving Coordinator, Vancouver Island University Foundation:
- email: Andrea.tolentino@viu.ca
- cell: 236.628.2089
Coming from out of town?
If you're coming from out of town, you can get to VIU on two BC Ferries routes, and there is also now Hullo, a walk-on ferry from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo.
Harbour Air offers float plane service to Nanaimo, and there are many flights to Nanaimo airport.
If you plan to stay the night, there are many Nanaimo hotels and motels to choose from, including the Coast Bastion Hotel, the and the Courtyard Marriott.
Are you a local?
If you're coming from town, you should know that parking will be free, but we do recommend bussing, cycling or carpooling if you can. Parking is limited and we don't want you to miss out on the fun because you couldn't find a spot to park.
Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre
The World's Largest Nanaimo Bar will be made in the Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre (building 108). It is at the bottom of VIU’s Nanaimo campus off Wakesiah Avenue. See the campus map for directions.
The record-breaking Nanaimo Bar will be made using the official City of Nanaimo recipe and will include nuts, gluten and dairy.
The record will be certified by two national organizations that represent VIU Trades students: the Baking Association of Canada and the Culinary Federation of Canada. Our national organizations are providing official oversight free of charge so that all funds raised can go towards new ovens.
Event sponsors
$10,000+
$3000+
$1,000+
$500+
