Guinness World Records (GWR) has clarified that it was unaware of Ghanaian Chef Ebenezer Smith’s attempt at the longest cooking marathon, which he claimed to have completed in March 2024.
Chef Smith began his cook-a-thon on February 1, 2024, at Amadia Shopping Centre in Spintex, Accra, and concluded after 820 hours on March 6, 2024, despite initially aiming for 1,200 hours.
Smith announced his record-breaking achievement at a press briefing in Accra, but GWR quickly debunked his claims.
In an email to GraphicOnline’s Kweku Zurek, GWR PR Manager Madalyn Bielfeld stated, “We have not received an application from him for this attempt. To confirm, he does not hold the GWR title and the certificate is not real and has not come from Guinness World Records.”
GWR confirmed that the official record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual is 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, held by Alan Fisher of Ireland, achieved in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023.
Inspection of the certificate displayed by Chef Smith revealed inconsistencies with authentic GWR certificates.
Differences included the format of the time duration and the way the country was listed. GWR has not commented on whether it will pursue legal action against Smith for his false claims.
