Ghanaian chef Ebenezer Smith, popularly known as Chef Smith, recently found himself in a scandal after attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon.
He claimed to have cooked for 802 hours and 25 minutes, declaring himself the new record holder at a press conference at La Palm Hotel in Accra on July 2, 2024.
However, Guinness World Records (GWR) quickly refuted his claim, stating that the certificate he presented was fake and that the actual record holder is Alan Fisher from Ireland. Madalyn Bielfield, GWR’s PR Manager, confirmed, “He does not hold the GWR title and that is not our certificate.”
In the wake of the scandal, Chef Smith publicly apologized to Ghanaians, including the former First Lady Lordina Mahama and the president, for his deceitful actions.
Serwaa Amihere did not take this lightly as she called him a scammer.
“So you admit you are a scammer. You are a scammer because how can you do this,” Serwaa Amihere stated.
In a tearful video circulating on social media, Chef Smith admitted his wrongdoing and asked for forgiveness, saying in Twi, “I have committed a great sin and I don’t even deserve to live anymore but please forgive me and my entire family.”
He explained that although he had registered for the record attempt, he did not receive approval from GWR. Chef Smith expressed his desire to showcase his culinary talent and passion, driven by a quest for fame.
Amid the controversy, Chef Smith was arrested for fraud but has since been released. Additionally, Peter Agbovi, the General Secretary of the Chefs Association of Ghana, clarified that while Chef Smith is a professional, he is not a registered member of their association, further complicating his reputation within the culinary community.
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