Cook-a-thon: Ghanaian chef Smith arrested for forging Guinness World Record

A Ghanaian chef, Ebenezer Smith, also known as Millennium Chef Smith, has been arrested and detained at the La Police Station for falsifying a Guinness World Record for marathon cooking.

This comes after Chef Smith announced at a press conference held at the La Palm Hotel on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, that he is the new cook-a-thon record holder, presenting as proof a certificate.

He claimed to have set a new record of 802 hours and 25 minutes, starting on February 1 and concluding on March 6, 2024.

“I am deeply humbled and honoured to announce that I am now the new world record holder for the cook-a-thon,” he said.

The inscription on his certificate reads: “The longest cooking marathon (individual) is 802 hours 25 minutes and was achieved by Ebenezer Smith (Ghanaian) in Spintex, Accra, Ghana. From 1 February to 6 March, 2024.”

His cooking marathon concluded with a high-profile event featuring entertainers such as Praye Tietia, Yaw Tog, Amerado, Kofi Jamar, and the Asakaa Boys.

The Public Relations Executive for Guinness World Record, Alina Polianskaya, debunked the claims made by Smith in an interview with the BBC, saying, “No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate.

“The current and true record for the longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119hr 57 min 16 sec and was achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023,” he added.

Shortly after announcing his fabricated achievement and displaying his certificate, the police took him into custody.

Irish chef Alan Fisher currently holds the record for the longest continuous cooking session, logging 119 hours and 57 minutes. His achievement surpassed that of Nigerian chef Hilda Baci.