Ghanaian Chef, Smith Forges Guinness World Record Certificate, Fakes an 820-hour Cook-a-Thon

Ebenezer Smith, a well-known chef in Ghana also referred to as Millennium Chef Smith, has been arrested for allegedly fabricating a Guinness World Record. Smith claimed he set a new record by cooking continuously for 820 hours and 25 minutes from February 1 to March 6, 2024. He showcased a certificate asserting this achievement at a press conference held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra and promoted his purported record on various social media platforms.

However, suspicions arose when a sponsor, who had contributed about 350,000 cedis to the event, raised concerns about the certificate’s authenticity. Upon investigation, Guinness World Records confirmed to BBC that the certificate was a forgery and that Smith does not hold the title for the longest cooking marathon.

The current official record is held by Alan Fisher of Ireland, who cooked for 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023.

The revelation of the fake record has caused considerable uproar, leading to Smith’s detention at the La Police Station. The incident has ignited debates and skepticism regarding the legitimacy of Smith’s other claims in the culinary world.