Chef Anani Targets Male-Dominated Guinness Grilling Record on International Women’s Day
Chef instructor and restaurant consultant Eshi Anani, popularly known as Chef Anani, is set to challenge a Guinness World Record long dominated by men as she prepares to attempt the longest barbecue grilling marathon in celebration of International Women’s Day 2026.
The bold culinary feat, themed “GRILL-A-THON,” is scheduled to run from March 5 to March 8, 2026, at the Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Idi-Oro, Mushin, Lagos.
The record attempt is expected to climax on March 8, coinciding with the global celebration of women’s achievements.
To formally unveil the historic attempt, a press conference was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Tantacom Group headquarters in Ikate, Lekki, attracting media organisations, industry stakeholders, and members of Chef Anani’s support team.
Speaking at the event, following introductory remarks by David Utehrun, Head of Client Services at Tantacom Group, Chef Anani said the idea was born from her desire to inspire people—especially women—through excellence and courage.
With professional experience spanning African and continental cuisine, pastries, culinary training, and restaurant consulting, she described herself as a chef driven by learning, teaching, and innovation.
“I’ve organised events like Sip and Grill with Chef Anani before, but this time I asked myself how I could truly inspire people on a bigger scale,” she said. “That question led me to the Guinness World Records.”
She revealed that after submitting an application for a team barbecue marathon—initially without informing her teammates—the response, which usually takes up to three months, arrived within just one month, reinforcing her belief in the project.
According to her, the decision to attempt the record with an all-female team is deeply personal. The selected members are close friends she trained with in culinary school in Abuja, making the challenge both a professional milestone and a celebration of enduring friendship.
On gender perception in the culinary industry, Chef Anani was emphatic.
“Women, especially female chefs, are incredibly strong. Society often associates certain kinds of energy with men, but professionalism, skill, and endurance are not gender-exclusive. I’m confident not because I want to brag, but because I know I’m good at what I do.”
She disclosed that the official application was made for 60 hours of continuous grilling, with plans to extend the attempt to 72 hours. The current Guinness World Record stands at 40 hours, achieved by a team of three men in 2022.
“If all goes as planned,” she added, “I want the announcement on International Women’s Day to read that three women broke the world record for the longest barbecue grilling marathon.”
On preparations, Chef Anani said the team will undergo physical training and strength conditioning ahead of the event. The attempt will be monitored by official timekeepers, with participants entitled to five minutes of rest per hour, in line with Guinness World Records guidelines.
The event is also designed to be interactive, with members of the public invited to witness the attempt and enjoy the grilled food.
The press conference concluded with assurances that regular updates will be provided as preparations continue, setting the stage for what could become one of Nigeria’s most symbolic Guinness World Record attempts—celebrating skill, stamina, and women breaking boundaries over fire and grill.
