In an interview on Accra-based OKAY FM, Esther Smith said she does not know the chef from Adam.

“Please, I’m not related to Chef Smith in any way. I don’t know him from Adam. My father is Smith from Cape Coast, and my mother is from Akomadan. I consider myself Ashanti because of my mother.”

Chef Smith, known as the Millennium Chef, recently claimed the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, with a time of 802 hours and 25 minutes.

However, it was later revealed that his record attempt was not officially recognized by Guinness World Records.

Esther Smith is currently in Ghana for a twin-event tour after several years away.

She will perform at the Bantama Pentecost Church in Kumasi on August 25 and at the Perez Dome in Accra on August 30, 2024.

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I am not Fennec Okyere; I sleep with my gun –.

Known privately as Ebenezer Smith, he was a prophet with Fountain Gate Chapel who also went to different churches to preach.

Other videos online captured him as a dancer, further fueling confusion about his true identity and career.

Prior to being knows as Chef Smith, he bore the name Wigglesworth Smith and also identified himself as a sexologist who specialized in dieting, vaginal health, orgasm and women’s wellbeing.

In one of his social media posts, he wrote, ” Dear Women, as an advocate for women empowerment n motion and a sexologist and a food doctor, my humble appeal to all women is rise up and fight against vagina shaming”.

Ghanaians are still seeking answers to know the true identity of Chef Smith.

In a post, Leila expressed her frustration with the Ghanaian public’s reaction to Chef Smith’s apology after he admitted to falsifying records and documentation for his Guinness World Record bid.

She condemned the lenient response from those who have accepted his apology, arguing that his actions require accountability rather than forgiveness.

“Honestly! I am appalled at how a majority of folks on Ghana social media are comforting and pampering this Chef Smith guy because he apologized! What’s wrong with y’all? Worried about your own skeletons, huh? This is why there’s zero accountability,” Leila wrote.

She also criticized the lack of seriousness with which the issue is being tackled, as she described Chef Smith as a “psychopath” for his ability to deceive an entire nation.

The filmmaker questioned the sincerity of his apology while reiterating that actions must have consequences, referencing the biblical story of David to underline her point.

“Someone tarnishes your entire image and gets away with it because they apologized. What on earth! David sinned, confessed and apologized, yet the child DIED. God took the child. People need to reap what they sow. Cancel this guy. Make his skin too hot. It will serve as a deterrent. Sanitize Ghana!”

She argued that, Ghanaians’= love for entertainment, such as cooking and singing, detracts the country from more meaningful contributions and achievements.

The apology comes in light of revelations that Chef Smith falsified his Guinness World Record attempt for the longest cooking marathon.

During the interview, Nacee expressed deep regret for not verifying the authenticity of Chef Smith’s Guinness World Record cooking marathon before promoting it to his followers.

The musician, who had enthusiastically supported Chef Smith’s cook-a-thon, acknowledged his oversight and the subsequent disappointment it caused among his fans and the general public.

“I want to sincerely apologize to everyone who believed in Chef Smith’s record because I endorsed it without verifying the facts,” Nacee stated, visibly emotional as he knelt during the interview.

“I was genuinely excited to support a fellow Ghanaian in what I thought was a remarkable achievement. I am sorry for the trust I misplaced, and I plead with all Ghanaians to forgive Chef Smith as well.”

Nacee’s public apology came after Chef Smith admitted to falsifying documentation related to his record attempt, which was intended to bring him personal fame and media attention.

Following his confession, Chef Smith issued an apology to the management of Amadia Shopping Center, where the event was held, and to his supporters.

Chef Smith admitted to the fraudulent actions during a meeting with the management of Amadia Shopping Center, where the cook-a-thon was held.

I don’t deserve to live – Chef Smith says in apology over fake GWR certificate

In his confession, he revealed that his motivation stemmed from a desire for personal fame and media attention.

Following this revelation, Chef Smith issued a heartfelt apology to the Chief Executive Officer of Amadia Shopping Center, the event’s management team, and all supporters involved.

In response to Chef Smith’s apology, the sponsors have expressed disappointment over the misconduct but acknowledged Chef Smith’s decision to come forward and apologize.

“While we are deeply disheartened by the discovery of these fraudulent actions, we recognize and appreciate Chef Smith’s willingness to admit his mistakes and offer a public apology,” the sponsors stated.

“Our support was rooted in a shared vision to celebrate culinary excellence and inspire the community. We remain committed to these values and will continue to uphold integrity in all our endeavours.”

The sponsors also commended the swift intervention by the authorities and thanked the media and public for their understanding and support.

They disclosed their intention to be more transparent and ethical when next they sponsor events.

In an interview on Accra-based GHOne TV, Chef Smith said he was sorry for lying to the entire and the world.

The chef who could not control his emotions broke down in tears and went on his knees on live TV to render the apology.

“I render a very big apology on this big platform and I apologise to the world that I am so sorry and I don’t deserve to live. I was only chasing after a livelihood and now this embarrassment has come upon me,” he said amidst tears.

On Tuesday July 2, 2024, Chef Smith held a press conference at La Palm Beach Hotel to announce his record-breaking feat for the longest cooking individual marathon.

However, GWR said it has no record of such an application or attempt from the Ghanaian chef.

Amidst public backlash on deceit, Chef Smith’s manager, Benny said the certificate was not fake, insisting they received a confirmation mail from GWR.

Watch a snippet of the interview shared on X by GHOne TV below:

This evening, Chef Smith tells the full story, uncut & uncensored!

EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE on our YouTube channel:https://t.co/UWF6grSNqT

Host: @Serwaa_Amihere

Time: 6:00 PM#GHOneTV #GHOneNews pic.twitter.com/XLoNfEUIT3

— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) July 6, 2024

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The cook-a-thon, which concluded on March 6, 2024, has been overshadowed by allegations of a fake certificate and contractual breaches.

Amadia Shopping Centre, owned by Mrs. Nana Ama Duodu (aka Amadia) and managed by her brother Nana Boroo, fully sponsored the month-long cook-a-thon that started on February 1, 2024.

The sponsorship included a three-year binding contract to support Chef Smith’s record-breaking attempt, aiming to showcase his culinary talents and inspire global food enthusiasts.

Under a three-year binding contract, the sponsors said they fulfilled all pledge and even went beyond to host a musical concert, celebrating the achievement and thanking the public for their support.

In a press statement, the sponsors said complications arose following the event as despite several attempts to obtain updates on video uploads and the status of Chef Smith’s Guinness World Records (GWR) application, was ignored.

The situation escalated on July 3, 2024, when Chef Smith announced a press conference at the La Palm Royal Beach to disclose the results of his GWR attempt without informing his primary sponsor, which violated the contract stipulating the sponsor’s right of first refusal for related activities.

Amadia Shopping Centre’s management, led by Nana Boroo, said they went to the La Palm Hotel to verify the authenticity of Chef Smith’s GWR certificate, concerned about their brand’s association with potentially misleading information.

The statement noted that at the venue, Chef Smith’s team denied the Amadia representatives entry to the press conference, leading to a standoff.

Despite repeated efforts to resolve the issue, they indicated that Chef Smith’s team locked them out.

In a bid to protect their corporate brand, the sponsor’s management called the police to intervene and halt the press conference until Chef Smith could authenticate the GWR certificate.

The police intervened after the announcement and certificate presentation, resulting in Chef Smith and his manager being taken to the police station for further questioning.

The police have since taken over the investigation to verify the certificate’s authenticity.

The sponsor, Amadia Shopping Centre,has assured Ghanaians of their dedication to supporting individuals aiming for Guinness World Records attempts to enhance Ghana’s global reputation.

They have expressed gratitude to the police for their intervention and to the public for their continued support and patronage.

Chef Smith falsely claimed to have received recognition from Guinness World Records as the record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

On July 2, 2024, he announced that he had set a new record with a cooking marathon lasting 802 hours and 25 minutes.

This announcement was made during a press conference where he displayed a certificate, purportedly from Guinness World Records.

However, Guinness World Record has said he certificate is fake.

Madalyn Bielfield, PR Manager for Guinness World Records, confirmed that the certificate presented by Chef Smith was not genuine and that the current record holder is Alan Fisher.

“No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate,” Bielfield affirmed.

Addressing the issue on Peace FM, Mr. Sefa Kayi said he is confused over the incident.

“Those who follow the Guinness Book of World Records cook-a-thon, I learned a man called Chef Smith had a press conference telling Ghanaians that he had won the cook-a-thon, but that is not true. But I’m really pained about it. Why would you do that? …This is unfortunate. This is sad,” he stated.

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Chefs Association of Ghana disowns Chef Smith

The record is not fake; GWR sent us confirmation email – Chef Smith’s manager…

Chef Smith did not submit any application to us – Guinness World Records

This revelation by the Association’s General Secretary, Peter Agbovi adds to the woes of the chef who is under fire for claiming a world title after a cook-a-thon challenge.

“You can call him a chef because he is a professional, but he is not a registered member of the Chefs Association of Ghana,” Agbovi stated.

He explained that, the Association became aware of Chef Smith’s cook-a-thon on social media.

Mr. Agbovi said they became alarmed when they saw their logo on Chef Smith’s attire.

However, he said all attempts to get him to register as a member proved futile, that is why they did not post Chef Smith on their platform.

On the Guinness World Record brouhaha, the chef could not fathom why a professional like Chief Smith will fake such an important certificate.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s a fake Guinness World Records certificate. Once you are a qualified chef, we give you respect. It was heartbreaking to see a colleague chef come out with a fake certificate, and we don’t know if it’s his own doing. We have not been able to speak with him yet,” Mr. Agbovi said in an interview on GhOne.

He said given the circumstance, Chef Smith cannot claim to be a member of the Association.

Mr. Agbovi emphasizes the importance of proper registration and adherence to guidelines for anyone wishing to attempt significant culinary feats.

This ensures the authenticity and credibility of their achievements within the professional culinary community.

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In an official statement, Guinness World Records (GWR) said it did not receive any application from Chef Smith for the record attempt.

On Tuesday July 2, 2024, Chef Smith held a press conference at La Palm Beach Hotel to announce his record breaking feat.

However, GWR said it has no record of such an application or attempt from the Ghanaian chef.

Madalyn Bielfeld, the PR Manager at Guinness World Records Limited set the record straight.

“We have not received an application from him for this attempt. The longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023” she said.

When questioned about potential legal action against Chef Smith, Bielfeld responded, “We cannot comment on this at this point.”

The situation remains unclear, and it appears that Chef Smith’s claim to the Cook-a-thon title is not verified by the official record-keeping body.

Below is the statement from GRW

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At the La Palm Royal beach, where the ‘questionable’ official announcement was made of Chef Smith 820-hour Guinness World Record cook-a-thon confirmation, the journalist identified as Thomas Samuel Adjei was manhandled.

While covering a chaos that erupted at the premises between former sponsors and Chef Smith’s management, Thomas revealed he was approached by some military officials to cease filming.

He reports being manhandled, with his phone seized and videos he had taken of the event and other private reportages deleted.

The journalist further revealed he was smacked twice in his occiput during the incident.

Despite the intervention of the hotel’s security and other journalists present, the situation intensified.

Thomas alleged that the military officials who manhandled him had no name tags or identification of being associated with the armed force.

Watch video below:

Breaking:Nana Boroo allegedly causes confusion by bringing Police to arrest Chef Smith. During the process, one of our reporters was hit by the military men who intentionally took his phone and deleted all the videos on his phone. Justice must be served #Usaywetin pic.twitter.com/Xqe5faR39F

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) July 2, 2024

The manager confirmed receiving an email from the Guinness World Records (GWR) verifying the record.

Amid circulating doubts about the legitimacy of Chef Smith’s new achievement and the authenticity of the certificate, his manager clarified the situation in an interview on Hitz FM.

He explained that GWR has two types of applications for record verification: regular and premium. Chef Smith applied for the regular option.

“Under the regular application, GWR does not make an immediate public announcement. Instead, they send a confirmation directly to the applicant’s email,” the manager stated. “We have received this confirmation email from GWR.”

The manager assured the public that the record is genuine and urged anyone with doubts to authenticate the record directly with GWR.

It is worthy to note that the record and attempter, Chef Smith is not yet listed on GWR’s official site, casting further doubts whether he applied in the first place.

The current record holder, per GWR’s official website remains Alan Fisher with a record time of 119 hours, 57 minutes and 16 seconds.

Further updates are expected as GWR publishes the official record on their site.

Listen to his interview below:

The Record is not fake, Guinness sent us an email to confirm the record – Benny, Chef Smith's manager on #HitzGallery pic.twitter.com/snh3RVEHcS

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) July 2, 2024

The incident, confirmed by Musician Nana Boroo and Chef Smith’s manager Benny during an interview on Hit FM’s #HitzGallery, has stirred significant public attention.

The commotion unfolded during Chef Smith’s press conference, where he was set to announce his latest cook-a-thon feast of his 820-hour attempt being verified.

Eyewitnesses reported a dramatic turn of events as the entire building was locked down by law enforcement.

The arrest was facilitated by musician Nana Boroo, present at the scene, who claimed to be Chef Smith’s former team player.

He allegedly accused Chef Smith of breaching their contract and owing him money, which led to his arrest.

He alleged that following the cook-a-thon attempt, Chef Smith dropped him and other members of the team, contrary to prior agreement. Outstanding fee from his service was not paid.

The altercation escalated with the involvement of soldiers and police, who facilitated the arrest under Nana Boroo’s direction.

According to Chef Smith’s manager, Benny, Chef Smith has been detained at the La Police Station.

Benny also mentioned that Nana Boroo had requested a private conversation with Chef Smith in his car, which was disallowed for security reasons and reportedly played a part in the sequence of events leading to the arrest.

Watch video below for more:

Watch video below:

Breaking: Chef Smith has been arrested by Musician Nana Boroo, confirmed by his manager, Benny on #HitzGallery pic.twitter.com/XuWQ1D9kCb

— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) July 2, 2024

Starting his culinary journey on February 1, the chef has now completed an impressive 700 hours of continuous cooking as of the morning of March 1.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chef-Smith Ghana (@chefsmithghana)

With his sights set on the 1200-hour mark, Chef Smith is projected to end his remarkable endeavour on March 6, 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chef-Smith Ghana (@chefsmithghana)

Throughout this extraordinary challenge, numerous celebrities, including Nana Ama McBrown, Clemento Suarez, Kwaku Manu, SDK, and OB Amponsah, have visited the Amadia Shopping Centre at Spintex to show their support for the chef’s incredible feat.

With the clock ticking, Chef Smith has already spent an impressive 580 hours behind the stove.

Among the celebrities that went to the venue to lend their support are: Clemento Suarez, Akumaa Mama Zimbi, Adu Safowaa, SDK, Nana Ama McBrown, among others.

Their presence not only boosts morale but also underscores the significance of Chef Smith’s culinary feat.

Fans and supporters eagerly anticipate witnessing Chef Smith setting a new record.