Nigerian culinary sensation Hilda Baci is cranking up the heat for her next Guinness World Record bid, announcing she’ll deploy a staggering 250 bags of premium Basmati rice to concoct what could be the planet’s largest pot of Jollof rice. The 28-year-old chef, who skyrocketed to fame with her 2023 record-breaking 100-hour cook-a-thon, shared the jaw-dropping detail in a viral social media post, hyping fans for the historic cook-off scheduled just 11 days away on September 12 at Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Lagos. “I will be using 250 bags of Basmati Rice for my Guinness World Record attempt at the largest pot of Jollof Rice,” Baci declared, underscoring the massive scale of her ambition in partnership with beloved seasoning brand Gino.
Baci, whose real name is Hilda Effiong Bassey, has been teasing this dream project for nearly two years, ever since her marathon cooking feat that briefly crowned her the world’s longest continuous cook before it was eclipsed by Ireland’s Alan Fisher. Undeterred, she’s pivoting to celebrate West African heritage through Jollof – the iconic one-pot rice dish that’s sparked endless “jollof wars” between Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond. The custom-built pot, a colossal 6 meters wide, 6 meters tall, 1.1 meters high, and 1.3 meters thick, was recently tested in a successful dry run where Baci and her team whipped up a trial batch, stirring with oversized ladles amid cheers from onlookers. Her mother, a vocal supporter, revealed in a heartfelt TikTok video that the endeavor aims to feed a whopping 10,000 people, calling it a “historic” feat backed by Gino’s sponsorship. “Who does that? Come 12th of September, Hilda will be getting it done,” she beamed, while Baci credited her for inspiring such “crazy, incredible ideas.”
The announcement has ignited a firestorm of excitement and memes across social media, with X (formerly Twitter) buzzing under hashtags like #HildaBaciJollofRecord and #GinoWorldJollofFest. Fans are rallying, with one user posting, “250 bags? That’s enough rice to feed a village – queen Hilda about to shut it down!” Others joked about logistics: “How many people peeling onions? Stirring that pot gonna need a ladder and a prayer!” Even skeptics chimed in, like a TikTok user questioning rain risks or uneven cooking, but Baci’s team assured security measures and automated stirring tech will keep things smooth. The event, free to attend, promises live music, cultural vibes, and free servings of the aromatic Jollof – a spicy blend of rice, tomatoes, peppers, and Gino seasonings – to unite the community.
Baci’s journey from restaurateur to global icon hasn’t been without hurdles; post-cook-a-thon, she faced scrutiny over unverified records and copycat attempts by rivals like Chef Dammy. Yet, her resilience shines through, as she told media, “This is more than cooking – it’s a celebration of our food, culture, music, and us.” With the pot constructed by Olalecks Tech Ltd and endorsements pouring in, experts predict this could smash the current record for the largest single pot of cooked rice (held at around 1,200 kg since 2015). Basmati’s choice – fragrant, long-grain, and ideal for fluffy Jollof – adds a premium twist, potentially yielding over 10 tons of the dish.
As Nigeria’s entertainment scene heats up alongside BBNaija S10, all eyes are on Baci to reclaim her spot in the record books. Will the weather hold, and will the Jollof live up to the hype? Fans from across West Africa are mobilizing, with Ghanaians playfully challenging, “Make sure it’s Nigerian-style – we’ll bring the competition!” Stream updates on Gino’s platforms, and mark your calendars – history’s about to simmer. Hilda Baci isn’t just cooking; she’s serving a cultural feast for the ages.