Battling fatigue, heat, and sleep in a tiny kitchen in Utange, Mombasa County, 31-year-old Yusuf Garani, alias Chef Yusuf, strives to become the new Guinness World Record holder for the longest home kitchen cooking marathon by an individual.
To do so, he must beat the current record of 68 hours, 30 minutes, and one second, set in 2018 by Rickey Lumpkin in the US. The self-taught chef set an unofficial new mark of 100 hours of continuous cooking, concluding his marathon on October 7, 2025, at 8:00:28 pm.
If approved by the Guinness World Records, this achievement will place him alongside icons like Eliud Kipchoge, the man who once held the world record for the marathon, later broken by the late marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.
Speaking to the Nation while preparing several verification meals, as witnesses and cameras recorded his every movement, Mr Garani revealed the spark behind his journey. He says that participating in a prior cooking marathon as a sous-chef under Chef Maliha Mohamed, a former world record hopeful, inspired him to send his own application.
"After being part of two attempts with Chef Maliha, the final push came from my team and family. My late mum was there, and everyone told me they wanted to see me lead the next record attempt. I doubted myself, but I took up the challenge," he said.
The official start of his quest was the application in May 2025, but the arrival of the email confirmation brought with it a wave of doubt. Still, Mr Garani shook off the uncertainty and immediately began plotting his record-breaking run.
“Although the world record may look simple, it requires a massive budget, a team, and deep support, and that's where we struggled most. When we pitched for funding, organisations turned us down, unwilling to invest in a brand that hadn't previously led such a high-profile marathon. Thankfully, Kenyans, family, and loyal supporters stepped up, crowdfunding and volunteering to make the attempt happen,” he explained.
Chef Yusuf Garani celebrates as he is psyched up to keep cooking even after reaching his intended 90-hour record attempt for the Guinness World Record for the longest home kitchen cooking marathon by an individual on 08 October 2025.
Photo credit: Jurgen Nambeka | Nation
According to the supervisor of the record-breaking attempt, Brian Kimweli, Guinness World Records (GWR) had laid out several stringent guidelines designed to raise Mr Garani's chances of officially attaining the record. Mr Kimweli was a credible choice for the role, having served as a witness and timekeeper during Chef Maliha's previous attempt two years earlier.
The rules governing the marathon, which began on September 5, 2025, were unforgiving. For instance, Mr Garani was permitted only a one-hour rest break during any continuous 12-hour period of cooking. This rest was an accumulation of five minutes for every hour worked.
"The rules are very strict, and we have been following them to ensure the recording of the attempt is not interfered with. That is why I am around, to ensure no one messes up," says Mr Kimweli, stressing the need for strict adherence.
He elaborated on the constant vigilance required, adding, "I have to remind him after every five minutes to go back to check on his stove, since he is not allowed to be away from it for more than five minutes."
Mr Garani's team had to make tough logistical choices due to financial challenges. Instead of paying for a GWR official, they opted for video documentation of the entire marathon. This process required independent, pre-vetted witnesses unfamiliar with the chef, who were responsible for meticulously recording every detail, including faults like dozing off.
While having an observer from GWR is advantageous, as it often reduces the 12-week review period after documentation submission, Mr Kimweli argues that the cost is prohibitive.
"It is my opinion that they should reconsider this guideline for the African continent. It is very costly to invite an observer from GWR since a participant needs to pay about Sh1.6 million to have them here, and this excludes the accommodation and flight fees. That is why we opted for documenting and sending the evidence to GWR,” says Mr Kimweli.
Chef Maliha Mohamed, a former world record hopeful whose previous attempt was ultimately not approved, echoed the concerns about adherence. She said several records go unregistered or remain pending because hopefuls fail to strictly follow the guidelines.
Chef Maliha Mohamed cooks at Proto Energy Headquarters on November 21, 2023, in an attempt to break the world record for the longest home cooking kitchen marathon.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group
"The Guinness World Records rules are very strict. For some hopefuls who have not been awarded the record, there must have been issues with their video, photography, or general evidence. A miscalculation in their timekeeping statements is often what disqualifies them," said Ms Mohamed.
Throughout the marathon, Mr Garani, surrounded by family and friends, prepared a vast array of dishes. These included popular Swahili staples like chicken and beef pilau and biryani, as well as other meals such as chicken and ugali. He noted that keeping up the frantic pace required him to constantly motivate his sous-chefs.
The head of sous-chefs, Sarah Wanjiru, said the team gave it their all, with the four chefs sacrificing to work in shifts just to ensure Mr Garani shone.
"We had to sacrifice and take up the challenge, and I have learned that pushing oneself can get one result. I had to coordinate how two chefs would work the shifts with continuity so as not to affect Chef Yusuf's work," Ms Wanjiru said.
For verification, every meal had to be weighed the moment it came off the stove. Only then could family and friends sample his cooking.
Mr Garani said the record attempt was also a profound tribute, driven by the encouragement of his late mother. His sister, Nassir Salim, who had not been present for his earlier sous-chef marathons, admitted her initial reaction was disbelief.
"I honestly thought he was joking because we joke a lot," she confessed.
"Our mum would be so proud of him since he inherited all the culinary skills from her. I am sure she is very happy wherever she is. He had told me it was 90 hours, and when it came, he said 'Let me go for a hundred'," Ms Salim said.
The videographer for the event, Tony Fikirini, said he dropped everything just to see his best friend break the record, recognising the monumental effort involved.
"He leads and we follow. He has shown me determination and to face one’s fears. I wish I knew how to cook so that I could get in and help him, but for now, I'm documenting his run on video," Mr Fikirini stated.
As Mr Garani rests for three weeks before beginning plans for his next attempt, the Kiembeni-bred chef says he genuinely hopes the record is approved and serves as an inspiration for young people to pursue their own dreams.
"Looking around me, the smiles and cheers keep me going. You want to do something? Do not try, just do it. I don't look like I've been cooking for four days straight because of them. Smashing this record should inspire a young person out there. This is not for me, it's for Kenya. It is not just a record, it's a reminder that Kenyans break records. I'm grateful for all who have supported me," Yusuf said.
