By Milcah Tanimu
Guinness World Records (GWR) has announced the deactivation of its ‘cookathon’ category, following a recent controversy surrounding Chef Ebenezer Smith of Ghana. The decision came after Chef Smith’s claim to have set a new record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual in West Africa.
Chef Smith embarked on a cooking marathon in Spintex, Ghana, lasting 35 days and clocking an impressive 820 hours before concluding on March 1st. His attempt initially sparked excitement in Ghana, reminiscent of previous GWR achievements in the country.
However, in a statement to GHone TV, GWR clarified that Chef Smith’s claim was false, affirming that the current record holder for the longest cooking marathon is Alan Fisher of Ireland, who logged 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds in Matsue, Japan, in 2023.
Moreover, GWR explained that the ‘cookathon’ category, along with several other records, has been deactivated due to challenges in maintaining standards and the ability to objectively judge such feats. This decision aligns with GWR’s policy to discontinue records that cannot be accurately measured, weighed, or counted.
Previously, Chef Smith’s press conference declaring himself the new record holder reportedly led to a confrontation with security personnel, allegedly summoned over a contractual dispute involving Nana Boroo. The incident highlighted the controversy surrounding Chef Smith’s claim and underscored the complexities in verifying and maintaining records of this nature.
