Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly called Hilda Baci, a celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, has announced plans to embark on another record-breaking challenge by preparing what she described as the largest pot of Jollof rice ever cooked.
She revealed that the event, scheduled for September 12, 2025, will be held in collaboration with seasoning brand, Gino.
In a post shared on Instagram on Friday, the 28-year-old chef said the pot to be used will measure six metres wide and six metres tall. “Almost two years ago I had the dream to cook the largest pot of Jollof Rice ever made. And now, with ginonaija and YOU, that dream is coming alive. Six meters wide. Six meters tall. September 12, we make history together. Because what is Jollof without you to share it with?” she wrote.
The Akwa Ibom-born chef, who became a household name after her 100-hour Cook-a-thon in 2023, described the project as more than just food.
“Some dreams keep us awake until we make them reality. In 2023, it was the Hildebassi Cookathon that took the world by storm. This year, it’s Jollof, the heartbeat of West Africa. A taste that tells our story. It’s more than cooking. It’s a celebration of our food, our culture, music and us. We’re making history again and I want you to be there when it happens,” she said in an accompanying video.
Baci added that the idea, which she first imagined two years ago, is a cultural statement and a way of celebrating Nigerian cuisine globally.
“Two years ago, I imagined the largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice the world has ever seen. And today, with Gino, a brand we all grew up with, my dream is becoming a reality,” she added.
Hilda Baci became an international sensation in May 2023 when she cooked for 100 hours non-stop in Lagos, a challenge that earned her recognition from the Guinness World Records and cemented her reputation as one of Africa’s most innovative chefs.
Her planned Jollof challenge is already sparking excitement online, with food lovers and fans eager to see if she will once again set a new world record.
