A Ghanaian chef, Ebenezer Smith, also known as Chef Smith, has been arrested and detained for fabricating a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Smith had claimed to have set a new record with a 820-hour 25-minute cook-a-thon from February 1, 2024, to March 6, 2024.
However, Guinness World Record’s Public Relations Executive, Alina Polianskaya, refuted Smith’s claims, stating that he does not hold the title and the certificate he presented was not authentic. The current record holder for the longest cooking marathon is Alan Fisher from Ireland, who achieved 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023.
This incident highlights the importance of verifying records and the consequences of fabricating achievements. Smith’s attempt to falsely claim a Guinness World Record has led to his arrest and damage to his reputation.