Just as the dust settled from the dramatic pot collapse at the Gino World Jollof Festival, celebrity chef Hilda Baci’s team has swiftly addressed a fresh wave of online backlash over allegations of using “unwashed rice” in her Guinness World Record bid for the largest pot of jollof rice. In a detailed clarification shared across social media, the team revealed that all 300 bags of rice—totaling thousands of kilograms—were meticulously washed prior to cooking, countering viral videos that suggested otherwise.
The controversy erupted late Friday during the high-stakes event at Eko Hotel and Suites, where Baci and her crew aimed to prepare over 5,000 kilograms of basmati rice in a custom six-meter-wide pot, using 1,583 kilograms of tomato paste and an array of Gino seasonings for what was billed as a cultural triumph. Clips circulating online showed team members seemingly pouring rice directly from sacks into the massive vessel, igniting hygiene concerns from netizens who fretted about starch buildup, contamination, and food safety at such a massive scale. “How una go pour dirty rice like say na confetti? Na who go chop this one?” one X user quipped, while others demanded proof of sanitation standards.
But Baci’s team didn’t mince words in their rebuttal, releasing fresh evidence including behind-the-scenes footage of the washing process. “Every single grain was handled with the utmost care—washed, rinsed, and prepped to perfection,” a statement from the team read, emphasizing that the apparent direct pour was merely the final step after hours of off-camera preparation. The clarification, which has since garnered thousands of shares, highlighted Baci’s personal oversight: the celebrated chef, fresh off scrubbing the pot herself with branded detergent, ensured hygiene protocols were ironclad from start to finish. “The meal was amazing and hygienic, just as we promised,” Baci had assured the 20,000-strong crowd earlier, her mother leading prayers before the flames were lit.
Guinness World Records, already on-site for the attempt, had sampled the finished product post-collapse and deemed it “delicious,” a silver lining that now extends to quashing the rice rumors. Fans and foodies have rallied in support, with reactions flooding X: “Hilda’s team came through with receipts! Unwashed ke? Dem no born person wey go try am with this queen 😂 #HildaBaciJollof,” one supporter posted. Another added, “From pot crash to rice drama—na test of resilience be this. Hilda still winning! 🇳🇬.”
Organized in partnership with Gino under GBfoods Nigeria, the festival wasn’t just about records; it was a vibrant showcase of Nigerian heritage, complete with live entertainment, cultural displays, and free tastings that drew celebrities like influencers Enioluwa Adeoluwa and Tomike Adeoye. Despite the hurdles—from a last-minute venue switch to accommodate the massive turnout to the structural mishap—the event underscored Baci’s unyielding spirit, echoing her 2023 cookathon triumph.
As GWR deliberates on the official certification, Baci’s latest chapter proves once more that in the world of culinary feats, a little controversy only spices things up. With the jollof declared a hit by tasters, the focus now shifts to the flavors that united a nation—and hopefully, another notch on the record books.