Hilda Baci Aims for Guinness World Record with World’s Largest Pot of Jollof Rice in Lagos
Renowned Nigerian chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is set to make culinary history once again by cooking the world’s largest pot of jollof rice on September 12, 2025, at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos. The ambitious feat, announced via Instagram and widely shared on X, will feature a colossal six-meter-wide and six-meter-tall pot, marking a bold celebration of Nigerian cuisine and culture in partnership with seasoning giant Gino.
Baci, who captured global attention in May 2023 with her record-breaking 93-hour-11-minute cooking marathon in Lagos, described the upcoming event as a dream two years in the making. “Some dreams keep us awake until we make them reality. In 2023, it was the Hilda Baci cookathon that took the world by storm. This year, it’s jollof, the heartbeat of West Africa,” she said in a viral video. “It’s more than cooking; it’s a celebration of our food, our culture, music, and us. On September 12, we make history together because what is jollof without you to share it with?”
The event, tagged #GinoworldJollofFestwithHildaBaci, is expected to draw thousands of food enthusiasts, music lovers, and cultural aficionados to Lagos. Baci emphasized the communal spirit of the project, noting that jollof rice, a beloved West African dish, is best enjoyed shared. The massive pot, a logistical marvel, has already sparked awe, with X user @Vickyyyyy💕 exclaiming, “Proud of Hilda 😭❤️…..who’s going from mainland ??” while @MIRACLEE!🎀humorously questioned, “Na who go open the maggiss and do the slicingss, I de pity.”
Baci’s latest challenge builds on her legacy of elevating Nigerian cuisine globally. Her 2023 cookathon, where she prepared over 100 dishes, including jollof rice, earned her a Guinness World Record and praise from figures like former President Muhammadu Buhari. This time, she aims to spotlight jollof rice, often at the center of playful rivalries between Nigeria and Ghana, as a unifying symbol of West African identity. Her previous comments on Ghanaian jollof lacking flavor stirred debate, but this event focuses on celebration, with Baci inviting Nigerians and Africans to see themselves in the project’s boldness.
Social media is abuzz with anticipation, though some users like @Oyin🤍 predicted, “Trust Nigerians to start their own after hers. Biggest pot of Egusi soup, etc. loading 😹,” while @JUDE🌀 jokingly warned, “Chef Dammy go come Cook Big pot of Beans because she too dey copy😂😂.” The event promises to be a cultural festival, blending food, music, and community spirit, with Baci’s reputation for culinary excellence setting high expectations.
As the countdown to September 12 begins, Lagos prepares to witness a historic moment that could further cement Hilda Baci’s status as a trailblazer in African culinary arts.