A chef from Ghana, Ebenezer Smith, also known as Millennium Chef Smith, has been arrested for claiming a false Guinness World Record.
He said he set a new record for the longest cooking marathon, cooking for 802 hours and 25 minutes from February 1 to March 6, 2024.
Chef Smith announced his fake achievement at a press conference on July 2, 2024, at the La Palm Hotel. He showed a certificate as proof and said, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to announce that I am now the new world record holder for the cook-a-thon.”
The certificate he presented stated: “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.”
The cooking event ended with a big celebration featuring famous entertainers like Praye Tietia, Yaw Tog, Amerado, Kofi Jamar, and the Asakaa Boys.
However, Alina Polianskaya, the Public Relations Executive for Guinness World Records, told the BBC that Chef Smith’s claim was false. She said, “No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate.”
The real record for the longest cooking marathon is held by Alan Fisher from Ireland. He cooked for 119 hours and 57 minutes in Japan from September 28 to October 3, 2023.
After Chef Smith’s false announcement, the police arrested him.
