By Society Assistant Editor
Ninolowo Gbamboye
Nigeria’s culinary pride has once again taken center stage as celebrity chef Hilda Baci has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records (GWR) for setting a new record with the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz).
The feat, which was achieved in partnership with food brand Gino on Friday, September 12, in Victoria Island, Lagos, has now been confirmed globally, shining a new spotlight on Nigerian cuisine and cultural resilience.
Guinness World Records, in its official statement on Monday, announced on its social media page:
“New record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”
This is not the first time Hilda has broken barriers in the culinary world. Her record-breaking cook-a-thon in 2023 brought her international fame and established her as a household name across Africa. But this latest accomplishment has taken her journey to another level—transforming what is often described as a “party food” into a global headline.
Cooking a Dream into Reality
Hilda revealed that the challenge was months in the making. The event centered around a custom-made pot with a capacity of 22,619 litres, specially designed for the attempt. Her initial goal was to fill it to at least 80 per cent, which required over 5,000 kilograms of raw basmati rice—equivalent to about 250 bags.
However, in the end, she used 200 bags of rice, producing 4,000 kilograms of cooked rice, which along with other ingredients, brought the final weight of the dish to Guinness’s confirmed 8,780 kilograms.
Speaking to reporters, Hilda explained:
“The crane and scale designed to weigh the rice had a limit of 20,000 kilograms, including the pot. That meant I had to adjust and strategize differently. Still, we achieved a dish large enough to feed at least 20,000 people.”
The process wasn’t just about cooking; it was a precise operation of measurement, timing, and safety checks. Every bag of rice, every pot of stew, and every spice added was carefully recorded to ensure Guinness’s stringent verification standards were met.
A Festival of Food and Culture
What started as a record attempt quickly transformed into a carnival-like celebration. The venue buzzed with music, dance, and celebrity appearances. Nigerian stars, including Funke Akindele, who jumped on stage to cheer Baci and even helped stir the tomato base, made the day even more electric.
The First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, was among dignitaries present, lending official support to the chef’s audacious project. Other well-known personalities such as Kaffy, Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa, Veekee James, Tacha, Papaya, Spyro, Alex Unusual, Femi Atere, and many more showed up to witness history being made.
For many, the attempt was more than just about food—it became a symbol of Nigerian unity and resilience, showcasing how a staple dish like jollof rice can bring together people from all walks of life.
Beyond the Record: What It Means for Nigeria
Hilda’s achievement is not only personal but national. In a time when stories of economic struggles and political challenges dominate headlines, this success has provided Nigerians with a sense of pride and celebration. It has also cemented Nigeria’s claim in the never-ending “Jollof Wars”—a friendly rivalry with other West African countries like Ghana and Senegal over who makes the best jollof rice.
By putting Nigerian jollof on the Guinness World Records stage, Hilda has turned a cultural debate into a global achievement.
As congratulatory messages flood in from across the world, the feat reinforces Hilda’s role as an ambassador of Nigerian cuisine. For her supporters, she has not only cooked for the record books but also for history, showing that Nigerian food and culture deserve a seat at the global table.
In the words of one supporter at the event:
“Hilda has done more than set a record; she has told the world that Nigerian food is not just about taste, it’s about identity, culture, and resilience.”
With this record, Hilda Baci has proved yet again that cooking can be more than an art—it can be a symbol of pride, unity, and global recognition.
