Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has once again etched her name into the Guinness World Records, this time for preparing the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
The Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed today that Baci, in partnership with Gino Nigeria, cooked an astounding 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds, 9 ounces) of jollof rice during an open-air cooking session last Friday at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Akwa Ibom-born chef, whose real name is Hilda Bassey, spent eight hours bringing the record to life, with hundreds of onlookers enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, complete with stage performances.
Her creation produced about 16,600 plates of rice, which were distributed in line with strict GWR guidelines to ensure none went to waste.
Speaking about the feat, Baci revealed the dish required 4,000 kg of basmati rice, 164 kg of goat meat, 220 kg of Gino seasoning cubes, 600 kg of her signature jollof pepper mix, and 1,200 kg of gas.
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“It took nine hours of fire, passion, and teamwork,” she said, dedicating the record to the Nigerian people.
Videos shared on her Instagram captured supporters savoring the dish after enduring the irresistible aromas. Reflecting on the challenge, Baci admitted:
“I didn’t realise it would be this hard — it has been a real challenge. It took a lot of hard work, but achieving the record is truly satisfying. This record also belongs to the people of Nigeria.”
This new milestone adds to Baci’s growing legacy.
In May 2023, she became a global sensation after cooking non-stop for 93 hours and 11 minutes, setting the record for the longest individual cooking marathon — a title that has since been surpassed by chefs in Ireland and Australia.
Her latest achievement comes amid the long-running rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana over who makes the best jollof rice, cementing Nigeria’s place in the culinary spotlight.
Image Credit: Nigerian Tribune
