In the vibrant world of Nigerian food records, where jollof rice reigns supreme and cookathons have become national spectacles, a heartwarming moment of camaraderie has emerged. On September 17, 2025, Chef Damilola “Dammy” Adeparausi, better known as Chef Dammy, publicly congratulated her fellow culinary star, Hilda Baci, for shattering the Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice. In the same breath, Dammy dismissed swirling online rumors that she was gearing up to challenge Baci with a record-breaking pot of beans, calling the speculation “baseless and hilarious.”
The gesture comes hot on the heels of Baci’s monumental achievement, confirmed by Guinness World Records just days earlier on September 15. Baci’s epic cook-off in Lagos produced a staggering 8,780 kg (19,356 lb) of aromatic jollof rice—enough to feed thousands and solidify Nigeria’s stake in the infamous “jollof wars,” the playful West African rivalry over the dish’s supremacy. The event, held at Eko Hotels and Suites, drew over 20,000 attendees, including celebrities like Nollywood’s Funke Akindele, who joined in stirring the massive tomato base. Baci’s recipe was a feast for the senses: 4,000 kg of basmati rice (making up at least 80% of the total weight), 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600 kg of onions, 164 kg of fresh goat meat, and 220 kg of peppered chicken cubes, all simmered in a custom six-meter-wide pot that took two months to build.
But the road to glory wasn’t without drama. During the weighing process, the giant pot cracked under the strain as it was hoisted by crane, spilling some of the precious cargo. Undeterred, Baci’s team rallied, compiling video evidence from multiple angles to satisfy Guinness’s strict verification rules. “This Guinness World Record was built on unity, love, and collective strength,” Baci posted on social media, emphasizing the communal spirit that turned the event into a carnival of music, dance, and free servings distributed until the early hours. Her feat not only eclipses previous records but also builds on her 2023 legacy, when she clocked a grueling 93 hours and 11 minutes for the longest cooking marathon.
Enter Chef Dammy, whose name inevitably bubbled up in the social media frenzy. Known for her own headline-grabbing 2023 cook-a-thon in Ekiti—where she aimed for 120 hours without an official Guinness application, sparking memes and national banter—Dammy has often been pitted against Baci in online narratives. As Baci’s jollof triumph trended, netizens jokingly speculated if Dammy would counter with a “largest pot of beans” stunt, riffing on Nigeria’s love for the protein-packed staple. Memes flooded platforms, with some users quipping, “Chef Dammy said she was bullied last time—now she’s coming for the beans throne!”
In a video shared widely on X (formerly Twitter), Dammy addressed the buzz directly, her tone a mix of amusement and admiration. “First off, massive congrats to my sister Hilda Baci on that incredible jollof record! She’s a queen, and Nigeria is proud. As for this beans pot rumor? Pure fiction! I haven’t said a word about it, and I’m not planning any such thing. Let’s celebrate each other instead of the drama.” The clip, posted by NigerianEye.com, quickly garnered shares, with fans praising Dammy’s grace under speculation. One commenter noted, “From rivals to sisters— this is the vibe we need!”
Dammy’s response highlights a maturing dynamic in Nigeria’s record-chasing culinary scene. What began as a lighthearted rivalry in 2023—fueled by Dammy’s impromptu Ekiti event contrasting Baci’s polished Lagos spectacle—has evolved into mutual respect. Baci, who once held the cooking marathon crown before it was briefly contested, has consistently championed inclusivity in the kitchen. Her latest win, she told the BBC, was about elevating African cuisine: “We [Nigerians] are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for.”
As the echoes of clinking ladles fade, this exchange reminds us that behind the pots and records lies a deeper story of resilience, creativity, and unity. Whether it’s jollof or beans, Nigerian chefs like Baci and Dammy are cooking up more than just meals—they’re serving inspiration on a global plate. Who knows what flavor of record comes next? For now, the aroma of solidarity lingers.