Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has once again secured her place in the Guinness World Records, this time for cooking the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
Guinness World Records confirmed on Monday that Baci, working with Gino Nigeria, prepared 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) of the dish during an eight-hour open cooking session at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Akwa Ibom-born chef, whose full name is Hilda Bassey, served the massive dish at an event attended by hundreds of supporters, with live performances adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
To meet the record’s requirements, Baci used 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice (at least 80 per cent of the total), 164 kg of goat meat, 220 kg of seasoning cubes, and 600 kg of her signature jollof pepper mix. The feat required nine hours of work, 1,200 kg of gas, and produced 16,600 plates of food. She ensured nothing went to waste, as Guinness rules demanded.
Reflecting on her achievement, Baci said: “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, because they all contributed to its success.”
Baci first made global headlines in May 2023 when she set the record for the longest individual cooking marathon, lasting 93 hours and 11 minutes. That feat has since been surpassed, but her latest success cements her as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated culinary figures.