Celebrity chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has officially received her Guinness World Records (GWR) plaque for preparing the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 29-year-old unveiled the plaque on Thursday in a kitchen setting, dressed in her signature white chef outfit.
Announcing the milestone on Instagram, Hilda shared photos of both her new plaque and the one she earned in 2023 for the longest cooking marathon, expressing gratitude for her double feat.
“Our plaques are finally here! Two records. Two plaques. One story of faith, fire, and history. Twice, God showed up for me. Twice, we made history for Nigeria,” she wrote.
“I’m a two-time world record holder. Someone pinch me.”
She added that her collaboration with Gino Nigeria “created something bigger than herself” — a story that reached billions and showcased what “passion and purpose can achieve.”
Guinness World Records also congratulated her under the post, writing: “Fantastic photos! Congratulations again, Hilda.”
How She Earned the Record
On September 12, 2025, two years after her viral cookathon, Hilda set out to achieve a new world record for the largest pot of jollof rice at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
She cooked 8,780 kilograms of Nigerian-style jollof rice over eight hours during the event, tagged “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci.”
The record-breaking effort drew thousands of spectators, including celebrities such as Funke Akindele, Alex Unusual, Tomike Adeoye, Bambam, Spyro, and Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun.
Using 4,000kg of basmati rice, 500 cartons of tomato concentrate, 750kg of cooking oil, and 600kg of onions, Hilda prepared the dish in a six-metre-wide steel pot.
She explained that she reduced her target from 250 to 200 bags of rice “to stay within the 20,000kg weight limit.”
“It was safer to keep it below the scale’s capacity. Reducing by 1,000kg still gave us enough to feed 20,000 people,” she said.
Despite a brief scare when the massive pot’s legs bent during weighing, her team stabilised it and successfully served the meal to thousands of cheering guests.
The event featured music performances, dancing, and live DJ sets as over 20,000 attendees enjoyed the festival atmosphere.
Record Confirmation
On September 15, Guinness World Records confirmed Hilda’s feat, stating that she had prepared 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz) of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
The record body said she met all required guidelines, including ingredient ratios and waste management rules.
Reflecting on the achievement, Hilda said:
“It took a lot of hard work, but achieving the record is truly satisfying. This record also belongs to the people of Nigeria.”
She added that the attempt was “about more than setting records — it was about feeding the nation and showcasing our culture to the world.”
This marks Hilda’s second Guinness World Record, following her 2023 cookathon where she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lagos.
