NIGERIA: From Cook-a-thon To Jollof Giant – Hilda Baci Breaks Another Guinness Record

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Nigerian celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, has set another Guinness World Record, this time for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilogrammes (19,356 lb 9 oz).

The record, achieved in partnership with food brand Gino at Victoria Island, Lagos, was officially confirmed on Monday by Guinness World Records.

In a post on X, the global body announced: “New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”

Baci, who gained international acclaim in 2023 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, began her latest challenge on Friday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

Recall that African Culture TV reported that the event quickly became a spectacle, attracting large crowds of supporters, food lovers, and celebrities.

Before the attempt, Baci revealed that the custom-made pot for the challenge had a capacity of 22,619 litres, with her goal being to fill it up to at least 80 per cent.

She initially planned to use about 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice (equivalent to 264 bags) but settled for 200 bags to stay within the capacity of the measuring crane and scale, which could only accommodate up to 20,000 kilogrammes, including the pot’s weight.

“The goal was that by the time I was done making 5,000 kilogrammes, I was hoping to achieve about 17,000 to 18,000 kilogrammes. Right now, if I include the weight of the pot, that’s about 20,000,” she explained.

The event had a carnival-like atmosphere with music, dancing, and celebrity appearances. Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, thrilled the crowd by joining Baci at the cooking station to stir the tomato base of the rice.

The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, also graced the occasion.

Other notable personalities present included dancer Kaffy, media personality Tomike Adeoye, influencer Enioluwa, designer Veekee James, singer Spyro, and reality TV star Alex Unusual, among others.

Baci’s latest feat comes two years after her historic cook-a-thon marathon, where she cooked non-stop for over 93 hours, earning her global recognition and inspiring a wave of young Nigerians, particularly women, to pursue careers in the culinary industry.