Following Hilda Baci’s game-changing record attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, Nigerians and food lovers across the world are once again reminded of the power of ambition and culture combined.
On Friday, Nigerian celebrity chef brought the extraordinary cooking marathon to a close, with eyes now on the Guinness World Records team for official confirmation drawing thousands of supporters and well wishers to the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
At exactly 1:50a.m on Saturday,the chef completed her audacious challenge.
The Federal Government has already congratulated her. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the feat as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence,” in remarks delivered by Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, at the event.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Idris said Hilda’s effort represents a collective national victory. “Her dedication to excellence and her unrelenting pursuit of greatness exemplify the Nigerian spirit that the world has come to appreciate,” he noted, pledging government support for similar initiatives that showcase Nigeria’s talent and culture.
The event itself became a mini festival. More than 20,000 people registered to witness history as Baci and her team worked with a specially built six-metre-wide, 22,619-litre pot designed to hold 250 bags of rice, weighing over 5,000 kilograms, along with peppers, tomatoes, spices and meat. Vendors sold Nigerian snacks and drinks, content creators filled the venue with cameras, and the atmosphere was festive long before the rice was ready.
For many, the choice of jollof rice was symbolic. A beloved West African dish, jollof carries cultural pride and even friendly rivalry across borders, particularly between Nigeria and Ghana. By attempting to set a global record with this dish, Hilda Baci has reminded the world that food is heritage, identity and celebration.
This challenge comes two years after she first rose to global fame in May 2023 by cooking non-stop for 93 hours and 11 minutes, setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Although that record was later broken by an Irish chef, her resilience and flair continue to inspire.
Beyond cooking, Hilda Effiong Bassey is a trained sociologist, entrepreneur and media personality. Through her brand, MyFood by Hilda, she has built a reputation not only for culinary excellence but also for creativity and showmanship. Her jollof rice challenge is therefore more than an attempt at a Guinness title.
Read also: Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record Attempt: Cooking the Largest Pot of Jollof Rice
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