CurrentReport Blog In a startling turn of events, renowned Ghanaian chef, Ebenezer Smith, widely known as Chef Smith, has been arrested and detained following allegations of fabricating a Guinness World Record. Smith had recently declared himself the holder of the world’s longest cooking marathon, claiming to have cooked continuously for an astounding 820 hours and 25 minutes.
On Tuesday, Chef Smith took to social media, asserting that he had achieved the remarkable cooking marathon from February 1 to March 6, 2024. Accompanying his announcement was a purported certificate from Guinness World Records, which has since been exposed as fraudulent.
In response to these claims, Alina Polianskaya, the Public Relations Executive for Guinness World Records, firmly denied the authenticity of Smith’s record. Speaking to the BBC, Polianskaya stated, “No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate.”
The legitimate record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual remains with Irish chef Alan Fisher. Fisher set the official record by cooking for 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023. This record surpassed the previous one held by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci.
The news of Chef Smith’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the culinary community, with many expressing disappointment over the fabricated claim. The incident highlights the importance of authenticity and integrity, especially in the highly competitive world of record-setting.
Chef Smith, who had garnered significant social media attention for his supposed achievement, now faces legal repercussions. Authorities are investigating the extent of the fraud, and Smith could potentially be charged with multiple offenses, including fraud and forgery.
