HILDA BACI PULLS OFF SPECTACULAR WORLD JOKLOF RECORD ATTEMPT IN LAGOS
Following her Guinness cooking marathon feat, Hilda Baci attempts another milestone with record-breaking jollof rice.
Nigerian chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Effiong Bassey popularly known as Hilda Baci, completed her much-anticipated attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice on Friday, September 12.
In a dramatic, joyous display of culture, community, and culinary ambition at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event, dubbed the Gino World Jollof Festival, drew thousands and ended with cheers and congratulations.
Initially, Hilda planned to use 250 bags of Basmati rice, but this was scaled down to 200 bags (4,000 kg of rice) due to weighing constraints: the scale available could handle only up to about 20,000 kilograms including the pot. The enormous pot used was about 22,619 litres in capacity, measuring around six metres by six metres.
The cooking began in the afternoon on Friday, September 12, 2025, and stretched into the early hours of Saturday, finishing around 1:20 a.m. while the food was declared ready around 2:00 a.m.
Over 20,000 people registered to attend the free event; thousands more showed up to witness, cheer, and eventually receive the prepared meal.
Attendees included a lively mix of food enthusiasts, celebrities, influencers, dignitaries, young people (Gen Zs & millennials), cultural fans and supporters of Hilda’s work.
A dramatic moment occurred when the giant pot collapsed during the weighing process, just after nearly nine hours into cooking.
This incident raised concerns about whether the attempt would pass all the technical requirements set by Guinness World Records, since accurate measurement is key.
Among prominent attendees were Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, who joined in the cooking process and Oba Oniru’s wife.
Other well-known names included Funke Akindele, Spyro, Peller, Kaffy, fashion and social influencers like Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and Folagbade Banks.
There was also spiritual blessing when Bolaji Idowu, Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, offered prayers for the success of the event.
Attendees at the venue erupted in applause as the jollof was finally declared ready, many queued for servings and took takeaway packs.
On social media, friends, celebrities, and politicians chimed in with praise. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was reported among those who visited to show support.
The Guinness World Records organisation acknowledged the attempt via social media (X formerly known as Twitter) messages wishing her luck, with the official verdict yet to be announced.
Regardless of outcome, the festival served multiple purposes: celebrating Nigerian food culture, bringing people together, showcasing Hilda Baci’s rising international culinary profile, and sparking conversations about community, heritage, and ambition.
By Itoro Etukudo
