Nigerian chef and food entrepreneur Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, is once again in the spotlight. On Friday, 12 September 2025, she began her attempt to break a Guinness World Record by cooking the largest pot of jollof rice. The event, held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, has drawn more than 20,000 registered guests and global attention.
What this record means
The Guinness World Records team sets strict rules for attempts like this:
The pot must be custom-made to hold the right amount of food.
Every ingredient has to be measured and recorded.
The food must be safe to eat and shared with people, so nothing is wasted.
For this challenge, Hilda is using a giant pot six metres wide and 1.3 metres deep, able to hold over 22,000 litres of food. Into it goes 250 bags of rice, about 5,278 kilograms, along with spices, peppers, tomatoes and meat – all the essentials of Nigeria’s famous jollof rice.
Why jollof rice matters
Jollof rice is more than a popular dish – it is part of West African culture. From Nigeria to Ghana and Senegal, it is served at weddings, parties and family gatherings. By choosing jollof rice for her record attempt, Hilda is showing the world a taste of African pride and tradition.
Lessons we can learn
Hilda’s journey is inspiring and offers lessons for everyone:
1. Aim high – She started small but now inspires the world.
2. Be prepared – Records like this need careful planning and teamwork.
3. Value your culture – Food tells our story and connects generations.
4. Don’t give up – Even after her earlier cooking record was broken, Hilda found a new challenge.
A global spotlight
The Guinness World Records organisation has confirmed the attempt and sent good wishes. If Hilda succeeds, she will bring another global honour to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
About Hilda Baci
Hilda Effiong Bassey, known as Hilda Baci, is a Nigerian chef, TV personality and entrepreneur. She is the founder of MyFood by Hilda, a food brand and restaurant that promotes Nigerian cuisine. She first made global headlines in May 2023 when she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes, setting the world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Though that record was later surpassed, Hilda’s determination and creativity continue to inspire young Africans. She has become a symbol of resilience, cultural pride and ambition, using food not just as nourishment but as a way to tell Africa’s story to the world.
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