A few hours away from breaking the Guinness record for the longest cooking marathon, Zeinab Bancé, Ivorian chef, lights up the Koumassi Agora. This exceptional challenge celebrates both Ivorian gastronomy and incredible human resilience.
Since December 17, 2024, the Koumassi Agora in Abidjan has become the scene of an extraordinary event. Ivorian chef Zeinab Bancé, driven by overflowing passion, embarked on an unprecedented culinary marathon. With a goal of cooking for 120 hours, she is just hours away from breaking the Guinness record for longest cooking marathon. A look back at an exploit poised to mark world culinary history.
A determined and inspiring leader
Zeinab Bancé is no stranger to the culinary world. With her 17 years of experience, she has made her career a tribute to the richness of Ivorian gastronomy. This culinary marathon is much more than a simple challenge for her: it is a celebration of the 31 regions of Côte d'Ivoire through 287 different menus, or 15,000 dishes planned in just five days.
The history of this record began in 2019 with Lara Tondon, then continued in 2023 with Alan Fisher, who currently holds the title after cooking for 119 hours and 57 minutes. Zeinab Bancé, inspired by these exploits, wishes to surpass these performances and register her name in the prestigious Guinness World Records.
The Koumassi Agora: the heart of a national event
The Agora space in Koumassi has been transformed into a real place of celebration. Thousands of supporters, local and international media, as well as public figures come to cheer on Zeinab every day. A live broadcast on Facebook TV Record Guinness CI also allows the world to follow this feat in real time.
Beyond the physical performance, Zeinab Bancé was able to give this challenge a cultural and patriotic dimension. Each dish prepared demonstrates the incredible Ivorian culinary diversity, combining tradition and creativity. This marathon is also a demonstration of perseverance, sending a strong message about the importance of passion and solidarity.
Last hours under high tension
As she enters the final stretch, the leader remains focused and determined. The entire Ivory Coast holds its breath, impatient to see its name appear among the most emblematic records in world culinary history. Zeinab Bancé, through this feat, proves that with courage and dedication, it is possible to transcend human limits.
