South African attempting to Break World Braai Record!

South African Jan Greeff is attempting to break the World Record for the longest consecutive barbecue session. He has already been braai-ing for one day and three hrs in the USA, with an official Guinness World Records® judge on site to witness the validity of the attempt.

According to South African expat Tracy Martin-Immelman, who is at the Grillathon event in Columbus, Georgia, “he’s doing great. Proudly South African here in the USA!!!”

The Grillathon is a Guinness World Records® Official attempt by Jan for the longest barbecue marathon by an individual.

Jan officially began his braai on Thursday, April 24 at 7:00 a.m. and is due to continue until Sunday April 27. If he can hold on until 9 pm on Saturday night 26 April, he will have broken the current record of 62 hours and six minutes which was set by fellow South African Gareth Daniell in association with Spar and Deli Spices at SuperSport Park, in Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa, on 26 August 2012.

Jan, who hails from Stellenbosch, moved to the US 11 years ago, at the age of 18, when he accepted a tennis scholarship to Columbus State University.

On his website, Jan explains (for the non-South Africans) that “barbequing, known as a braai in South Africa, is part of daily life back home. Literally, South Africans braai almost every day. When I moved to Columbus, one of the first things I purchased was a grill. However, it took me a few times to master the art of grilling over propane. South Africans normally braai over wood.”

The idea to break a world record has been “sizzling” in Jan’s head for a few years he says.

“Finally, during the 2013 Thanksgiving holiday, I shared the idea with my wife. As expected, she nodded her head and said ‘Okay, Jan. Whatever you want.’

“But I really began researching the idea and started to formulate a plan. And my wife, besides her initial response, is really supportive.”

Jan intends to not only break the world record, but to also use the opportunity to support a good cause.

“I want to give back as much as possible while accomplishing a personal goal. I chose to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in honour of my father-in-law, Dennis Starling.

“He passed away in December 2007 due to complications of Type I Diabetes. I met my wife six months after he died and never had the opportunity to meet him.”

If any South Africans are in the area – please pop in to say howzit to Jan and give him our support…any time of the day or night.

UPDATE SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2014:

Jan has ten hours to go…here are some photos taken in the last hour –

More Info:
http://www.thegrillathon.com/

Photos: Tracy Martin-Immelman