Mombasa-based chef Maliha Mohammed has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent cooking.
The 36-year-old set a new record yesterday by cooking for 75 hours non-stop at Kenya Bay Beach Resort in Mombasa.
Speaking to People Daily, an elated Mohammed, who works for a local NGO, attributed her achievement to determination and passion for cooking.
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“I have always loved cooking. My greatest joy is in coming up with exciting local and international cuisines. I will continue perfecting my cooking skills. I encourage young people with talents to aim for the sky and show the world what they have to offer,” she said.
The record was initially held by Rickey Lumpkin II of California, US, who cooked for 68 hours, 30 minutes and 1 second in December 2018. In 2017, Indian chef Vishnu Manohar spent 53 hours cooking, while Benjamin J. Perry did 40 hours in 2014.
Promoting local talent
In her first trial in May, the mother of two cooked 100 recipes in 36 hours non-stop.
Later in July, Mohammed cooked 200 meals for 54 hours before going for the final competition supervised by officials from the Guinness World Record.
Mohammed prepared a list of 400 recipes of local and international cuisines for the competition.
The food she prepared will be offered to charity homes and orphanages as part of her initiative to raise awareness and to feed the less fortunate in society.
“The journey has not been easy, especially the pain on my feet for standing for so long hours and also enduring sleepless nights,” she said.
Mohammed was sponsored by Pwani Oil, a Mombasa-based edible oils, soaps and detergents manufacturer. The company paid her fees to the Guinness World Records, equipment, food and other logistics.
Pwani Oil commercial director Rajul Malde hailed Mohammed for putting Kenya on the world map, adding that the company is keen on promoting local talent.
It is going to take a week before Mohammed officially enters the Guinness Book of Records. The verification process will be done at the Guinness World Records offices in the UK.
Mohammed joins a galaxy of outstanding Kenyan achievers who have featured in the Guinness Book of World Records including athletes Tegla Lorupe, Paul Tergat, Daniel Komen and Samuel Wanjiru.
Another Kenyan who featured on the world list is Joseph Love, who in 1992, milked 30 cows by hand in 24 hours.
