Hilda Baci, Celebrity Cheff
Hilda Baci’s Monumental Jollof Feat: A Second Shot at Culinary Glory
In a dazzling display of culinary ambition
and national pride, Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has once again etched
her name into the annals of gastronomic history.
On September 13, 2025, she completed her
second Guinness World Record attempt, this time for cooking the largest pot of
jollof rice.
The event, held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, drew thousands of spectators, celebrities, and government officials, all eager to witness the spectacle of Nigerian excellence in action.
The Akwa Ibom-born chef, who previously
captured global attention with her 93-hour cooking marathon in 2023, took on
this new challenge with meticulous preparation and unrelenting determination.
The massive dish was prepared using 4,000 kilograms of basmati rice, 500
cartons of tomato concentrate, 750 kilograms of oil, and 600 kilograms of
onions. All of it was cooked in a custom-made steel pot measuring six metres in
diameter. Originally intending to use 250 bags of rice, Baci adjusted the
figure to 200 to avoid exceeding the 20,000-kilogram weight limit of the
measuring equipment.
The cooking session was part of the “Gino
World Jollof Festival,” a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and resilience.
Ten assistants in red uniforms worked tirelessly alongside Baci, stirring the
enormous pot with giant wooden paddles.
The atmosphere was electric, with DJs and
live performances keeping the crowd energized throughout the night. Among the
notable attendees were Ogun State First Lady Bamidele Abiodun and celebrities
such as Funke Akindele, Bambam, Tomike Adeoye, Alex Unusual, Enioluwa Adeoluwa,
TikTok star Peller, and Afrobeats singer Spyro. Funke Akindele, addressing the
crowd, praised Baci’s boldness and urged women to pursue their dreams with
vigor and purpose.
The Federal Government also lent its voice to
the celebration. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed
Idris, commended Baci’s effort as a testament to Nigeria’s global excellence.
He emphasized that her determination and professionalism reflect the resilience
and creativity that define the Nigerian spirit. The government pledged
continued support for initiatives that project Nigeria positively on the world
stage.
Despite a dramatic moment when the massive
pot broke during the weigh-in, the food remained intact, and the spirit of the
event remained undeterred. Baci, visibly moved by the overwhelming support,
broke down in tears as she read messages of encouragement from fans across the
globe. She later revealed that the planning phase lasted nine months, with two
months dedicated to designing and fabricating the pot. The cooking itself
spanned over nine hours, culminating in a triumphant declaration that the meal
was ready to serve.
As she awaits official confirmation from
Guinness World Records, Hilda Baci’s jollof rice challenge stands as a bold
chapter in Nigeria’s culinary journey. It is a celebration not just of food,
but of ambition, unity, and the power of dreams. Her feat has inspired a new
generation of Nigerians to pursue greatness, proving once again that with
passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
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