Bl4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 15,1982
An incredible character promotes an incredible, edible product
BY DEBBIE KOONTZ
LANCASTER Imagine a bubbly Howard Helmer, eastern
grown man oh, around 40 in age, representative of the American
6 feet tall, with sandy-colored hair Egg Board; better known to the
and a full mustache making world as the‘‘Omelet King."
omelets for a living. He received this eminent and
Hard to visualize ? pondera ble designation because he
Perhaps for most, but not for holds the Guinness Book of World
Despite the humidity, Helmer got very egg-cited as he
prepared an instant Egg Pickup for guests who hadn’t had
breakfast. Helmer uses his incredibly hyper and altruistic
personality to advantage when lecturing on the merits of
eggs.
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those who know the witty and
Records title for making the most
omelets 217 in 30 minutes.
Helmer achieved this recognition
in 1978 at Disneyland in California.
Since then, the zany demon
strator has served as spokesman
for the Egg Board making hun
dreds of presentations around the
country on behalf of the versatile
egg
Maintaining a hilariously hyper
personality despite a rather sultry
afternoon, Helmer presented one
of his demonstrations to several
dietitions, home economics
teachers, food editors, politicians
and egg producers last Friday in
Stemman Park, Lancaster.
Guests had the opportunity to
make their own lunch (an omelet,
of course) under the guidance of
the master himself, and to share in
some of Helmer’s cooking
knowledge.
Sponsored by Commonwealth
National Bank, the event was
designed to provide continuing
support to the egg farmers of
Pennsylvania through the joint
sponsorship of the Egg Promotion
Council of PDA and the Com
monwealth Bank; and serve as a
kicker for the “May is Egg Month”
theme
Howard, who hails from Chicago
but lives in New York City now,
says he loves the traveling and the
people he meets. Though this ‘city
boy’ has only visited farms “a few
times,” and “thought the world
began and ended in the city,” he
promotes the egg as though it were
a moral matter of right and wrong.
“Who didn't eat breakfast?” are
hxs opening words to his audience.
After a brief scolding and a few
jokes, Helmer proceeds to whip
together a blender full of Instant
Egg Pickup with orange juice,
honey, egg and brandy, and then
make them drink it.
***** **k
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Throughout his presentation, he
makes the audience repeatedly
recite the perfect omelet
“Here’s the recipe, .two eggs, and
(Turn to Page BIS)
Robert Bucher, vice president and manager of the
agricultural loan department at Commonwealth National
Bank (sponsors of the afternoon event) prepares his omelet
under the scrutinized guidance of Omelet King Howard
Helmer. Also working for her lunch, is county commissioner
Jean Mowery, left, who joined Bucher and other dignitaries
for an afternoon of fun and egg promotion in Steinman Park in
Lancaster.