Sierra Leonean Chef Kumzee Completes 163-Hour Cookathon for Guinness World Record

Sierra Leonean chef Kumba Sinah, known as Chef Kumzee, has completed a 163-hour cooking marathon at Kabbana on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown. The attempt began on November 5, 2026, at 4:00 PM and ended on November 11, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The event drew large crowds, with free entrance and food transforming the record attempt into a community festival. Kumzee cooked through exhaustion, burner heat, and sleep deprivation under Guinness World Records rules.

The final moments of the cookathon saw rapper King Boss La and Housemates Salone Season 4 winner Suad Baydoun join Kumzee on stage as she plated her last dish and marked her time log. The entire attempt was monitored through continuous video recording, independent timekeepers, and witnesses. If verified, the 163-hour mark would surpass the current official record of 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds set by Irish chef Alan Fisher in Japan.

Kumzee’s cookathon also exceeded Nigerian chef Hilda Baci’s 93-hour feat in 2023 and Liberian-Australian chef Evette Quoibia’s 140-hour attempt. The event showcased Sierra Leonean cuisine, including cassava leaves, groundnut soup, jollof rice, and fish balls, serving hundreds of free meals to supporters. Kumzee used the platform to promote Sierra Leonean food and culture.

The cookathon was a community-driven event, with free entrance and food for all attendees. The event was held at Kabbana on Lumley Beach Road, a popular spot in Freetown. Kumzee’s team will now submit thousands of hours of video evidence, witness forms, and log sheets to Guinness World Records for verification.

The verification process is expected to take eight to 12 weeks. If confirmed, this would be Sierra Leone’s third Guinness World Record, following the largest Sampa dance in 2012 and Mary Yongai’s 2024 record for 111 cosmetic makeovers in 24 hours. Yongai’s record was also inspired by Hilda Baci’s cookathon and was later celebrated by President Bio as an achievement that inspired the nation.

Kumzee’s achievement has garnered attention and support from the community and beyond. The cookathon demonstrated the chef’s endurance and dedication to promoting Sierra Leonean cuisine. The event was a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and culinary traditions.

The Guinness World Records verification process will determine if Kumzee’s achievement is officially recognized. If confirmed, the record would be a significant milestone for Sierra Leone and Chef Kumzee. The cookathon has already made a positive impact on the community, promoting Sierra Leonean food and culture.

Key points

• Chef Kumzee completed a 163-hour cooking marathon in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
• The cookathon was monitored through continuous video recording, independent timekeepers, and witnesses.
• If verified, the record would surpass the current official record of 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds set by Irish chef Alan Fisher in Japan.