Benin: more than 25 artists on stage to support Keith Sonon’s culinary marathon

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At the Palais des Congrès this Tuesday evening, more than 25 Beninese artists decided to rally behind chef Keith Sonon, who is taking on a culinary challenge. Since December 1, “the Amazon Chef” Keith Sonon has launched into the quest for the longest culinary marathon in the world, a feat that is drawing huge crowds and sparking an unprecedented national wave at the Palais des Congrès.

The launch event set the tone. Scheduled to start at 7 p.m., the marathon drew a true human tide already on site by 6 p.m. and forced an early opening. When the clock struck 7 p.m., a unanimous chant erupted. “Keith Sonon, it’s time,” chanted the impatient crowd. It was only at 9:28 p.m. that the stoves were lit, marking the starting signal for a titanic culinary adventure.

For her first dish, the chef served white rice accompanied by a tomato sauce and meat, a simple, popular and tasty dish for the Beninese. This symbolic opening immediately won over the audience. Each day, between 1,000 and 1,500 plates are distributed to the crowd present.

A show to celebrate boldness and patriotism

Beyond the individual performance, an entire country is rallying around Keith Sonon. This Tuesday, whistles, flags, pennants and vuvuzelas are expected to turn the Palais des Congrès into a true arena of patriotic support. The artists, for their part, are preparing to deliver vibrant performances to keep the chef in a surge of positive energy essential to carrying on this 15-day marathon.

Behind this challenge lies the aura of Guinness World Records, the undisputed reference for extraordinary performances. The idea for the famous book was born in the early 1950s, when a simple argument about the fastest game bird in Europe pitted Sir Hugh Beaver, Managing Director of Guinness, against his hosts during a hunting trip. Unable to find an answer in the available books, he came up with the idea of a compendium capable of settling such debates.

In 1954, he entrusted the task of compiling these exceptional facts to twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter. Thirteen and a half weeks of hard work later, the first volume saw the light of day. Unknowingly, the McWhirters had just created what would become one of the best-selling books in the world, a symbol of reliability and human daring.

Keith Sonon, right in the heart of this tradition of feats, now proudly represents Benin, a country ready to stand by her all the way through her historic marathon.