The following is in my opinion. Recently, an Ekiti-based Nigerian chef, Damilola Adeparusi, popularly recognized as Chef Dammy, embarked on a 120-hour cook-a-thon. Her 120-hour cook-a-thon challenge was supposed to surpass the cooking hours of the current world record holder, Hilda Baci, and to cook her way into the Guinness World Records (GWR). However, Chef Dammy asserted that she embarked on her cook-a-thon to express her passion and love for cooking without the intention of beating anyone’s record.
Federal University of Oye Ekiti’s (FUOYE) undergraduate of Mass Communication began her cook-a-thon test run on June 11 and ended it on June 15, supposedly cooking non-stop. After the cook-a-thon was wrapped up, Chef Dammy revealed her intentions of displacing Hilda Effiong Bassey, the current world record holder for the longest cooking hours, as she would be embarking on another cook-a-thon that would last for 150 hours non-stop. The chef’s jus-concluded exercise was not registered with Guinness World Records, but she affirmed that the coming one will undergo due application.
GWR says submission and ratification of evidences is important.
A public relations executive at the Guinness World Records, Alian Polianskaya, stated, after conclusion of the 120 hours cooking exercise, that the GWR was aware of the attempts of Damilola Adeparusi to break a record. The GWR went ahead to debunk the assertion that the chef has attempted in vain for failure to apply before attempting the exercise. The organization stated that the submission of evidence is possible after completion of a record attempt. Also, it was said that there is no waiting period to break an existing record.
Also, Polianskaya stated that it is possible for an individual to break their own records. Judging from the executive’s statement, it is possible for Chef Dammy to become the next world record holder for the longest hours of cooking by an individual, given that there is a receipt and ratification of all evidences of the cooking marathon by the GWR. And if she decides to break the same record again after the first time, she can go for it.
Not up to 2 million naira was gotten from donations – Chef says.
In a video, a couple of days after the cook-a-thon, Chef Dammy said that majority of the people who announced monetary donations to her are yet to fulfill their promises. Amidst disclaiming the rumors that she had received numerous donations from many Nigerians, the 22 year-old stated that the estimation of the total amount of money she has gotten from donations since her cooking spree has not added up to 2 million naira goal. She referred to the online donations that are yet to reach her as “audio money”.
Nigeria’s 300 level student of Mass Communications of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Damilola, said that she is aware that many people offline and online are wondering what her next move will be or what will become of her after her 120 hours marathon cooking, having been in the spotlight. In the chef’s words “Well, Chef Dammy is open exploration! I am open to new opportunities and new experiences in life.” She added that her capabilities have been witnessed by people so she should be given a chance to explore in many ways.
Different comments were given by Nigerians, negatives and positives.
There have been many comments by Nigerians since the commencement of Chef Dammy’s cook-a-thon and to date. While some of the comments seem discouraging and demeaning for the belief that she is unhappy with Hilda Baci’s success, some comments seem encouraging for the belief that she is another young passionate Nigerian woman who is set to make the country proud. Regardless of the thoughts we as Nigerians have in our minds and think is the motive behind anyone’s efforts, our focus should be based on elevating the country and proving that we have talented individuals who can make things happen.
Related Link
GWR: Website
