On Friday, September 12, thousands of Nigerians gathered at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos to witness a historic culinary feat: celebrity chef and food influencer Hilda Baci successfully prepared the largest pot of jollof rice in the world.
The 28-year-old chef, who first gained international fame in 2023 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon (individual) with an impressive time of 93 hours and 11 minutes, told BBC News that this new attempt was about proving that Nigerians never settle for less.
“Nigeria is the giant of Africa, and jollof rice is one of the dishes we are best known for globally. So, I thought it would be perfect if we could claim the record for the largest pot of jollof rice. It’s something special for our country,” she said.
This marks the first time in history anyone has attempted to cook the largest-ever pot of jollof rice, a dish that has become a cultural symbol across West Africa.
A Record-Breaking Culinary Project
Hilda revealed that planning the challenge took nearly one year, while the custom-made giant pot used for the cooking took two months to design and manufacture locally in Nigeria.
The pot, with a massive capacity of 22,619 liters, became the centerpiece of the event, drawing massive crowds, including Gen Zs, millennials, food enthusiasts, vendors, and celebrities who came to show their support.
To pull off the project, more than 300 culinary experts and assistants worked with Hilda Baci. The scale of the ingredients was just as astonishing:
• 4,000 kg of rice (200 bags)
• 1,200+ kg of tomato paste (500 cartons)
• 600 kg of onions
• 168 kg of goat meat
• 700 kg of cooking oil
• 6,000 liters of water
• An uncountable number of seasoning cubes and spices
The event became a festival-like atmosphere, with hashtags #HildaBaci and #GuinnessWorldRecord trending across social media platforms as supporters documented every moment.
From Cooking Marathon to National Icon
Hilda Baci is no stranger to global recognition. In 2023, she became a national sensation when she cooked continuously for four days, surpassing the previous cooking marathon record set by Indian chef Lata Tondon in 2019.
Although she cooked for 100 hours in total, Guinness World Records officially logged her achievement at 93 hours and 11 minutes, because she exceeded the maximum allowed break time on one occasion. Nevertheless, her record stood as a groundbreaking achievement and catapulted her into the global spotlight.
Guinness World Records later confirmed
“Hilda’s cook-a-thon was so popular that our website crashed for two days due to the overwhelming traffic from her fans worldwide.”
Hilda Baci: More Than a Chef
Beyond her world record attempts, Hilda Baci has built a career as one of Nigeria’s most influential culinary figures. A graduate of Madonna University, where she studied sociology, Hilda drew inspiration from her mother, Chef Lynda Ndukwe, before launching her own career in food.
Her journey includes hosting a TV cooking show called “Dine on a Budget” in 2020 and winning the Jollof Face-Off competition in 2021, where she proudly represented Nigeria against Ghana’s Leslie Kumordzie — and won.
Reflecting on her motivations, Hilda said:
“I wanted to do something extraordinary — not just for myself but to put Nigeria on the map, to represent young African women, and to push myself beyond my limits.”
Why This Record Matters
Jollof rice is more than just food — it is a cultural staple across West Africa, often sparking friendly rivalries between countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal over who makes it best. Hilda’s achievement not only highlights Nigeria’s culinary creativity but also celebrates African identity and pride on the global stage.
With her latest feat, Hilda Baci has once again proven that Nigerians are capable of setting trends and breaking barriers. Her story continues to inspire millions of young people across Africa and beyond.