Raymond Kahuma, a content creator and travel blogger, embarked on an ambitious challenge that ultimately ended in disappointment but provided valuable lessons. His goal was to break the Guinness World Record for the largest chapati ever made, a record set by a renowned chef in September 2012. Despite his efforts, the attempt did not go as planned, but it was a journey worth documenting.
Kahuma’s endeavor took place in Nairobi, Kenya, where he aimed to create a chapati that would surpass the existing record of 145 kilograms and three meters in diameter. To achieve this, he invested significant time and resources into building the necessary equipment and infrastructure.
Building the Giant Stove
The first step in the process was constructing a massive brick stove. Kahuma designed a stove with a diameter of 3.5 meters. The construction, which included labor, materials, and location, took one day and cost KSh 137,000.
Creating the Giant Frying Pan
Next, he focused on creating a giant frying pan. He used six large pieces of black metal, welded them together, and cut them into a circular shape. The pan was reinforced with additional metal to prevent bending when heated. Handles were added for easy transportation. This project took six days and cost KSh 290,000.
Making the Rolling Pins
To roll out the chapati dough, Kahuma crafted several giant wooden rolling pins. He also created 20 thin wooden pieces that could be slid underneath the chapati to allow oil to be poured underneath, preventing sticking and burning. These tools required four days of work and cost KSh 257,000.
Weighing the Chapati
A critical part of the process was accurately weighing the chapati to meet the record requirements. Kahuma built a square metal frame to suspend a butcher scale from, which cost KSh 133,000.
Cooking the Chapati
Once all the equipment was ready, Kahuma and his team began preparing the dough. They mixed water, salt, sugar, oil, and turmeric before adding 153 kilograms of flour to create two large batches of dough. The dough was left to settle while the frying pan was heated.
The dough was then transferred onto the pan and rolled flat using the giant rolling pins for an hour. A large metal ring was used to shape the chapati into a perfect circle. It was covered with cling film to maintain its structure while the stove was lit with four bags of charcoal.
Challenges During Cooking
As the cooking process began, the team encountered unexpected difficulties. When they tried to insert the thin wooden sticks underneath the chapati to add oil, they faced a major obstacle. The sticks could not be slid under the chapati, making it impossible to cook properly.
Kahuma described the situation as extremely frustrating. Despite their efforts, they had to call off the attempt. The entire process, from preparation to the final attempt, cost a total of KSh 1.1 million.
Lessons Learned
Although the attempt did not succeed, Kahuma shared the experience with his followers, seeking ideas and feedback. He emphasized that the journey, while costly, was a valuable learning experience.
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