Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy, has reached the 120-hour mark she set for herself at the commencement of her cooking marathon four days ago.
Dammy finished cooking in the early hours of Wednesday, June 14.
Dammy, who is a 300-level student at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), embarked on this feat on Friday, June 9.
It remains uncertain whether Dammy’s endeavour will be officially noticed by the Guinness World Records (GWR), as it did just yesterday with Hilda Baci, who achieved a 100-hour target three weeks ago.
Dammy’s attempt has sparked varied reactions from Nigerians on social media. Many are intrigued by her determination, while others have questioned the significance of her achievement, particularly in the light of Baci’s quest for confirmation and certification from GWR.
Interestingly, Baci’s record attempt was validated and certified on Tuesday, June 13.
Dammy has clarified that her pursuit was not aimed at overshadowing Baci, who she “deeply respects and holds in high esteem.”
She said she was seeking to push her own culinary boundaries and welcomes any constructive criticism that may arise from the endeavour.
“I am here to test my capabilities and prove that I can excel in this culinary marathon,” Dammy declared, adding, “I want to emphasise that I am not desperate for a world record; rather, my goal is to showcase my skills and determination.”
During a visit by The ICIR on Tuesday to Ilupeju-Ekiti, location of Dammy’s cook-a-thon, when the she had already accumulated cooking time of 109 hours, both the chef and her team declined to provide comments when approached.
Some of the community leaders, including her fellow students, who volunteered to speak to The ICIR, commended her efforts despite some of the backlashes that greeted her resolve.
Foluyi Ope, one of the friends of the chef and a church member, commended her for being courageous to live out her dreams despite the discouragement they encountered at the planning stage of the cooking marathon.
“We started planning this together. I want to commend her for the boldness to live her dreams despite all the discouragement. I am very happy for her,” Ope said.
The wife of the Ekiti state governor, Olayemi Oyebanji, had, in a Twitter statement on Monday, June 12, commended Dammy for her boldness and courage to stand for something positive through her gift of cooking.
“The last 70 hours have been about Chef Dammy @dammypas, a determined Ekiti undergraduate, who is making a bold attempt to break the Guinness World record for the longest cooking marathon,” she wrote.
“For me, it’s her courage and determination to stand for something positive, using her God-given talent to make a statement.
“Miss Damilola Adeparusi, surely, has our love and support as she forges ahead to make this bold statement.
“I salute your courage Chef Dammy, for your decision to run your own race. Congratulations,” she added.
Dammy has also received support from a former Osun Commissioner for Works and Transport, Remi Omowaiye, and indigenes of Ekiti state in the United States of America and Canada.
She also caught the attention of a Nigerian doctor, Ayo Arojo, who gifted her N500,000 and a two-week cooking tour of the US.
Arojo, who announced the offers via his Facebook page on Monday, also drummed up support for the chef.
“Chef Dammy will be invited for a two-week cooking tour in the United States. I can’t wait for her to start the process!
“Let us continue to support her,” Arojo said.
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