Chef Anani Targets Guinness Grilling Record on Women’s Day
Chef Anani Targets Male-Dominated Guinness Grilling Record on International Women’s Day
Chef Anani Targets Guinness Grilling Record on 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, aligning with the global celebration of women’s achievements.
To officially unveil the historic attempt, a press conference was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Tantacom Group headquarters in Ikate, Lekki, drawing media organisations, industry stakeholders, and members of Chef Anani’s support team.
Speaking at the event, after Head, Client Services, Tantacom Group, David Utehrun, began with an introductory speech, Chef Anani explained that the idea was born from a desire to inspire people—especially women—through excellence and courage. With years of experience spanning African and continental cuisine, pastries, culinary training, and restaurant consulting, she described herself as a chef who thrives on learning, teaching, and innovation.
“I’ve organised events like Sip and Grill with Chef Anani before, but this time I sat down and asked myself how I could truly inspire people on a bigger scale,” she said. “That question led me to the Guinness World Records.”
Initially applying for a team barbecue marathon without informing her teammates, Chef Anani revealed that the response, typically expected after three months, came within just one month, reinforcing her belief that the project was meant to happen.
The decision to attempt the record as a team of women is deeply personal. According to her, the selected team members are close friends she trained with during culinary school in Abuja, and the challenge represents both a professional milestone and a celebration of long-standing friendship.
On the broader issue of gender perception, 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 application was made for 60 hours of continuous grilling, with hopes of pushing 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 revealed that the team will embark on a fitness and strength-building journey ahead of the challenge. The attempt will be closely monitored by official timekeepers, with contestants allowed five minutes of rest for every hour of grilling, in line with Guinness guidelines. The event is also designed to be interactive, with members of the public invited to watch—and enjoy- the grilled food.
The press conference concluded with Chef Anani assuring the public that further updates will be released as planning continues, setting the stage for what could become one of Nigeria’s most symbolic Guinness World Record attempts—a celebration of skill, stamina, and women breaking boundaries over fire and grill.
