Howard Helmer, World’s Fastest Omelet Maker
Howard Helmer, longtime global ambassador for the American Egg Board, Guinness World Record holder, author, Air Force veteran, gifted artist and television and radio show personality passed away on June 30, 2025, at the age of 87.
Born on June 11, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, Howard was the beloved son of Joe and Goldie (Ordman), stepson to Edith (Schwartz), and brother to Janice Herman (Larry), all of whom are deceased.
Howard was the devoted husband to both Sonni Helmer and Thomas Arsenault (deceased) and leaves behind his cherished sons Michael (Susan) and Gordon (Soccoro Crabbe), as well as his adored grandchildren Joseph (Chloe Peyton), Frank, Michele, Eli, and Dean and brother Myron.
A true culinary icon, Howard’s speed and skill in the kitchen earned him a Guinness World Record for preparing 427 omelets in just 30 minutes. But it was his larger-than-life personality and unrelenting enthusiasm that turned him into a beloved figure both in and out of the kitchen. As a tireless promoter of the “Incredible Edible Egg,” Howard traveled the globe on behalf of the American Egg Board-from state fairs to international diplomatic culinary meetings, including an amazing and historic meeting with Fidel Castro in Cuba. He gave cooking demonstrations at the White House, and delighted countless viewers on The Dinah Shore Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots: Forever Young. He taught his audiences how to cook a 40 second omelet using just 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of water, a Teflon non-stick skillet and whatever was left over from the night before.
Before becoming a culinary celebrity, Howard served his country as a Morse code operator in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in-and fell in love with-Japan. His adventurism, optimism, enthusiasm and zest for life stayed with him throughout his life. He picnicked on the Great Wall of China, visited the pyramids of Egypt, and dined in some of the world’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed restaurants. His never-say-die mindset even had him trying to convince the City of NY to allow him to toss an egg from the top of the Empire State Building to illustrate the egg’s aerodynamic attributes. While attempting to convince the Johnny Carson Show to allow him to show off a chicken that lays an egg on command, he was told by NBC studios “Howard – don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
But food was just one facet of his love of the arts. Howard loved the theater including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Broadway. An extraordinarily gifted painter from an early age, Howard earned awards for his artwork even as a young adult and never lost his appreciation for beauty in all its forms. Whether plating a dish, painting a canvas, or simply setting a table, Howard brought creativity, care and flair to everything he did.
Known for his charisma, generosity, and boundless energy, Howard made every room brighter, every gathering of individuals a thriving party and every moment more memorable. He was a master of his craft, and a friend to all who had the joy of knowing him.
Howard was truly something else and will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever celebrated.