Stirring Nigeria into the Guinness Book with the Largest Pot of Jollof Rice

Hilda Baci’s Fiery Triumph: Stirring Nigeria into the Guinness Book with the Largest Pot of Jollof Rice

In a dazzling display of culinary ambition and national pride, Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has once again etched her name into the Guinness World Records, this time for cooking the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.

The feat, achieved on September 12, 2025, during the Gino World Jollof Festival at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, was nothing short of a spectacle. Thousands of attendees, including celebrities and dignitaries, gathered to witness what would become a historic moment for Nigeria’s food culture.

Hilda, who previously stunned the world in 2023 by cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes to claim the record for the longest cooking marathon, returned to the global stage with a fiery mission: to prepare 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds) of jollof rice in a single pot. The pot itself was a behemoth, six meters wide and six meters tall, with a capacity of 23,000 litres. It was filled with 4,000 kg of basmati rice, 164 kg of fresh goat meat, 220 kg of Gino Asun & peppered chicken cubes, and 600 kg of her signature jollof pepper mix. The entire process consumed 1,200 kg of gas and took nine hours of intense cooking, teamwork, and sheer determination2.

But the journey to the record was not without drama. As the pot was being lifted by a crane for weighing, a critical step in validating the Guinness World Record, the massive vessel collapsed under its own weight. The supporting legs gave way, sending shockwaves through the crowd and sparking a frenzy online. Videos of the incident went viral, with fans expressing both concern and admiration for the chef’s resilience4.

Despite the setback, Hilda remained undeterred. In interviews following the event, she described the collapse as a “blessing in disguise,” noting that it made food distribution easier and allowed more people to enjoy the meal. Her priority, she emphasized, was not just the record but the joy of feeding the community. Transparency was key throughout the process, and she worked closely with Guinness adjudicators to ensure every detail was documented and verified.

On September 15, 2025, Guinness World Records officially confirmed Hilda Baci’s achievement, declaring her the record-holder for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice. The announcement sparked celebrations across Nigeria and reignited the playful “Jollof Wars” between West African nations, with many Nigerians proudly declaring victory over their Ghanaian counterparts in the age-old culinary rivalry.

Hilda’s feat is more than a record, it’s a cultural statement. It celebrates the richness of Nigerian cuisine, the power of community, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who continues to redefine what it means to be a chef. As she put it, “This achievement also belongs to the people of Nigeria as they all contributed to the achievement.” And with that, Hilda Baci didn’t just stir a pot, she stirred a nation.