Granted, you probably thought that you’ve already confronted the world’s largest torta, thanks to your abuelita’s talents in the kitchen and propensity to stuff you full. But, you’d be mistaken if you thought that good ol’ abuela didn’t have some serious competition last week. That’s right, good people: we’re talking about the world’s largest torta.

What do you mean, abuelita’s got competition?

Well, July 31 saw what was practically an army of chefs in Mexico City create a 236-foot torta. Basically, these geniuses took festival food to a new level – although, it would be pretty difficult to carry this torta in one hand. And, do you know how long it took for them to make it? Less than three minutes! At least you know who to call on next time you’ve got a grumbling stomach.

So…what was the point in all of this torta mayhem?

A combination of local authorities and local businesses teamed up to put together the massive Mexican sandwich, which contained a combination of lettuce, onion and tomato, mixed with gallons upon gallons of mayonnaise, mustard, and spicy sauces. Each section of the torta was made by a different chef, who added a new signature flavor to the mix by using ingredients such as ham and seafood. The stunt culminated in not only the biggest torta ever made in Mexico, but the biggest torta made in the whole of Latin America. 

But why did it need to be so massive?

Sure, making a hella big torta is going to attract a crowd. Someone’s gotta eat it, once it’s been made, right? But, these torta chefs weren’t making the iconic Mexican sandwich for the fun of it – that’s only part of the story. Rather, it was a challenge that was part of a three-day annual torta fair organized by the local government in the Mexican capital. 

The hope in creating and executing a challenge as delectably iconic as this one was to try to draw attention to businesses in the region that specialize in the torta, and give them an economic boost. When previously interviewed about the event, locals have said, “What we want to do is to show people that the torta is very important. It’s important for our diet and we’re bringing together more than 100 (torta) businesses.” They’ve also stressed that the event is “… a good idea to bring tourism to Mexico City and to give an idea of our gastronomy, into what normal people eat daily.” 

But do we really need to have a conversation about the torta – it’s just a sandwich, right?

At the end of the day, while the torta functions very much like a sandwich, it’s anything but. Okay, maybe that’s being a little dramatic. But, it is part of Mexican culture. And, the torta does differentiate itself from being a plain ol’ sammich. It tends to be bigger in size, and actually has ingredients like avocados and refried beans on both the inside and outside of the sandwich. They can be heated, or eaten cold. The trick to a genuine torta is using bread that doesn’t fall apart under the weight and moistness of the ingredients. The businesses that participated in the event are part of preserving the secrets to a great torta.

The thing is, with the rise of fast food, consumer interest in tortas has declined. And, don’t get us wrong – some days, only a good McDonalds cheeseburger will suffice for those particularly nasty hangovers. However, less desire for tortas means that businesses suffer losses, and may potentially close. From there, less consumer access to tortas means that, again, consumer interest can then further decline. It’s a vicious cycle. But you know what? It may just be that making a gigantic torta is part of the process of revitalizing interest in the torta, and preserving cultural legacy.

Do you have any fond memories of devouring a Mexican torta? Or are you yet to try one? Let us know on Twitter – you can find us through the icon at the top of the page.

Fashionistas and spectators at São Paulo Fashion Week are mourning the tragic and sudden death of model Tales Soares. The Brazilian model collapsed while walking the runway. Stunned audience members rushed to the model’s side while the fashion show continued on the runway as he lied on the floor.

Tales Soares, 26, was an up-and-coming Brazilian model who died during São Paulo Fashion Week.

Soares, who also went by Tales Cotta on social media, was a college graduate in physical education, according to this Instagram bio, and was a proud vegetarian. The young model leaves behind a girlfriend and legacy of being a champion for LGBTQ+ rights in a country where the LGBTQ+ is under attack.

Soares was walking for the Spanish clothing label Också when he collapsed.

“The whole OCKSA team is deeply sorry and dismayed by the news of the model Tales Cotta’s death,” Också’s official statement reads. “Our deepest condolences to Tales’ family and our partners from the Base agency. We kindly ask our friends for prayers and positive energy in this extremely painful moment.”

São Paulo Fashion Week organizers shared their grief with followers after learning of Soares’ death.

“The São Paulo Fashion Week has just received confirmation that model Tales Soares has passed away due to a sudden onset during the Också show,” reads the official São Paulo Fashion Week response. “He was promptly taken by the medical staff to the hospital, but unfortunately, wasn’t revived. We are truly sorry for this fatality and would like to pay our sincere condolences to Tales’ family. Alongside with Base MGT model agency, we’re providing all the necessary assistance in this unfortunate event.”

Soares sudden death on the catwalk has rattled the fashion world where models have long been under great pressure during shows.

Members of the international fashion community are mourning the death of a young and healthy model. Soares’s cause of death remains unknown as the world waits for a medical examiner to conduct an autopsy to determine how the model died.

The death was caught on video.

You can see Soares walking down the catwalk in the video. When he turns around at the end of the catwalk, he appears to trip over his shoelaces and stumbles until he falls flat on the floor. People rush from the audience to his side as he lies on the floor.

According to reports, Soares foamed at the mouth while he was on the floor before he was taken away by medical personnel. He was rushed to a hospital from the venue and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Condolences flooded social media as news of the model’s untimely death spread around the world.

There is no way to be prepared for a death like this. Rest in peace, Soares. Our thoughts and prayers are with Soares’s friends and family as they try to make it through this heartbreaking time.

You can watch the video of Soares’s collapse below.

It is a sad video to watch as Soares’s hopelessly tumbles to the ground in his final moments.

READ: The Death Of Latin Trap Artist Kevin Fret Is Putting A Spotlight On Heightened Violence In Puerto Rico