This week I was in awe that Hy-Vee baked the second largest cake in Minnesota to showcase at Riverland Community College’s “Big Night On Campus.” The cake was unveiled Thursday and was sold in pieces to raise $10,000 for scholarships.

An effort like that is pretty remarkable and a win-win situation for all involved. It makes a lot of sense too because it’s something for both the community and the students.

The event got me thinking about all of those other big food contests out there, like how people make the biggest this or that or eat 100 hot dogs while watching an episode of “The Golden Girls.”

I applaud the Hy-Vee effort because it offered a community service, but I wonder what in the world is the reasoning behind the other people or businesses that aim for some of the other food records.

It reminds me of the scene in “Tin Cup,” where Kevin Costner says to Don Johnson, “I just shot par on the back nine using only my 7-iron. Have you ever shot par with a 7-iron?” Johnson says, “You know, it never even occurred to me to try.”

So in light of the second largest cake of Minnesota, I thought I’d research some of the other records.

According to www.junkfood news.com, the world’s largest fish taco was made in Jacobeach Costa Rica on Aug. 9 of this year and was an estimated 20 feet long and included cheese, coleslaw and tomatoes, with jalapenos, purple onions, lime wedges and hot sauce on the side.

The world’s largest popcorn ball was unveiled by The Popcorn Factory in Lake Forest, Ill. this October and weighed 3,415 pounds and was 50,000 times larger than a normal popcorn ball.

Kitchener, Ontario holds the world’s record for the largest smoothie, which consisted of more than 195 gallons, and the world’s longest hot dog measured 16 feet 1 inch in Chicago.

The list continues.

The world’s largest bowl of dip could make the equivalent to 32,000 servings, while the world’s largest milkshake was 6,000 gallons.

Out of all of the above, I think I’d rather just go out and try to shoot par with a 7-iron.