Ghanaian broadcaster Kwame Sefa Kayi has expressed his shock and disappointment over the recent controversy involving Chef Ebenezer Smith, popularly known as Chef Smith. The chef falsely claimed to have been recognized by Guinness World Records (GWR) for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
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Chef Smith announced on July 2, 2024, that he had set a new record with a cooking marathon lasting 802 hours and 25 minutes. This announcement, made during a press conference, included the display of a certificate purportedly from Guinness World Records.
However, it has since come to light that the certificate is fake. Addressing the issue on his “Kokrokoo” show on July 3, 2024, Kwame Sefa Kayi voiced his confusion and disappointment over the incident.
“Those who follow the Guinness Book of World Records cook-a-thon, I learned a man called Chef Smith had a press conference telling Ghanaians that he had won the cook-a-thon, but that is not true. But I’m really pained about it; why would you do that?…this is unfortunate. This is sad,” he stated.
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The authenticity of Chef Smith’s claim was questioned by Derek Edem Kojo, a journalist with GhOne TV. Kojo contacted Guinness World Records for verification.
In response, Madalyn Bielfield, PR Manager for Guinness World Records, confirmed that the certificate presented by Chef Smith was not genuine and that Alan Fisher is the current record holder.
“No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate,” Bielfield affirmed.
Further reports indicate that no official application or evidence of Chef Smith’s supposed 802-hour cooking marathon was submitted to Guinness World Records, a crucial requirement for their recognition.
Despite these revelations, the manager of Chef Ebenezer Smith maintains that they received an official email from Guinness World Records confirming his status as a record holder. The manager has yet to provide evidence to substantiate this claim.
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