Ghana's Chef Smith 'does not hold the GWR title ' - Guinness World Records

Chef Smith of Ghana has been the focus of recent attention and celebration for allegedly setting a new culinary record. 

                                   
However, Guinness World Records has confirmed that Chef Smith "does not hold the GWR title for the longest cooking marathon," and his certificate is not authentic.

Doubts arose about the legitimacy of his claim, leading to an investigation. In an official response to an inquiry from GHone TV, Guinness World Records stated: 

"He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate. The current record holder is Alan Fisher (Ireland), who achieved 119 hr 57 min 16 sec in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023."

This revelation has led to disappointment among Chef Smith's supporters and the wider culinary community in Ghana. Many had celebrated his supposed achievement as a significant milestone for the country's culinary arts.

On 2 July 2024, Chef Ebenezer Smith, known as Chef Smith, claimed that Guinness World Records had awarded him a certificate for setting a new record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. He announced this at a press conference at the La Palm Beach Hotel. 

Chef Smith began his cooking marathon on 1 February 2024, cooking for 820 hours until 6 March 2024, though he initially targeted 1,200 hours. 

His record certificate claimed, "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."

However, Chef Smith was arrested by the La police for allegedly defrauding one of his sponsors, Amadia Shopping Mall, of about GHC350,000 related to his cooking marathon.