On Saturday, celebrity chef Hilda Baci achieved another incredible culinary feat, successfully cooking the largest single pot of jollof rice in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR). The event, aptly named the ‘Gino World Jollof Festival,’ was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos and drew a massive crowd of supporters, food vendors, and entertainers.
In a remarkable display of stamina and skill, the 28-year-old chef cooked an impressive 200 bags of rice in a custom-made steel pot that measured six meters wide and six meters tall. The massive cauldron, with a capacity of 22,619 liters, was filled with the savory dish over a period of nine hours. Baci had originally planned to cook 250 bags of Basmati rice but reduced the quantity to 200 bags due to challenges with the weighing equipment, a decision made to ensure the final product stayed within the 20,000-kilogram limit of the measuring scale.
After the record-breaking meal was completed, it was generously distributed to over 30,000 people in takeaway packs. In a gesture of hospitality, attendees were encouraged to bring their own coolers to take home some of the excess food. The atmosphere was a mix of celebration and excitement, with fans cheering on Baci throughout the night.
The Federal Government of Nigeria commended Baci’s efforts, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, describing her quest as another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence. Speaking through Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, the minister expressed optimism that her record attempt would serve as an inspiration for the next generation of creatives.
“We encourage more young Nigerians to channel their creativity and talents into ventures that will not only benefit them personally but also contribute to national development and global recognition,” he said.
The event was a star-studded affair, with Nigerian influencers and Nollywood stars, including Funke Akindele, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and Tomike Adeoye, joining thousands of fans to support the chef. This latest achievement, following her record for the longest cooking marathon in 2023, cements Hilda Baci’s status as a national icon and an innovator in the culinary world.
