Ghanaian chef Ebenezer Smith, also known as Millennium Chef Smith, has been taken into custody at the La Police Station for allegedly falsifying a Guinness World Record for marathon cooking.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Chef Smith presented a certificate claiming he had broken the world record for a cook-a-thon lasting 820 hours and 25 minutes, starting on February 1 and ending on March 6, 2024. The event had drawn in notable performers such as Praye Tietia, Yaw Tog, Amerado, Kofi Jamar, and the Asakaa Boys.

During the briefing, which was held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, the chef said, “Today is the day that I will forever remember. I am incredibly humbled and honoured to stand before you today as the Guinness World Record holder.”

“He will be announcing his results from the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. The event will take place at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Confirming the invalidity of his certificate to BBC, the PR Executive for GWR, Alina Polianskaya, said, “No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate.

“The current and true record holder is: The longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119hr 57 min 16 sec and was achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023,” he added.

Shortly after the announcement, the police intervened and apprehended Chef Smith. It was discovered that he had accepted funds from various sponsors for an attempt at a record that had not been properly registered with the Guinness World Records. One sponsor, who donated approximately 350,000 cedis, was responsible for Smith’s arrest.

The details of the incident were revealed by the sponsor, the owner of the Amadia Shopping Mall, who preferred to remain anonymous. Every attempt to contact the LA Police for a comment proved abortive. Their number was unreachable, and the mail was not delivered to the address provided on their website.