Hilda Baci Cooks World Record for Largest Jollof Rice Pot

In a monumental display of national pride and culinary ambition, Nigerian celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, has successfully completed her highly anticipated attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice. In the early hours of Saturday, the Akwa Ibom-born chef, with the support of a nation and thousands of onlookers, cooked a staggering 22,619 litres of the beloved West African dish, an amount so colossal it required a custom-built pot and a team of dedicated assistants. The feat, which took place at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, transcended a mere cooking challenge, transforming into a vibrant festival that celebrated not just a dish but the very essence of Nigerian culture, resilience, and global excellence.

For many across West Africa, jollof rice is more than just a meal; it is a cultural icon and a subject of a passionate, long-running rivalry known as the “jollof wars.” While its origins are traced to the Wolof people of the Senegambia region, it has become a fiercely debated point of pride for nations like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, each claiming to have the superior version. The dish, with its characteristic vibrant red hue and smoky flavour, is a staple at celebrations, from weddings to festivals. A popular saying in Nigeria holds that “a party without jollof is just a meeting.” Baci’s attempt to set a new Guinness World Record, therefore, was not a personal pursuit but a symbolic statement of Nigerian culinary prowess and an assertion of its place at the forefront of this delicious regional rivalry.

The scale of the undertaking was breathtaking. Baci’s team meticulously prepared a recipe that called for a staggering 4,000 kilograms of basmati rice, which is equivalent to 88 twenty-kilogram bags. This was combined with 500 cartons of tomato concentrate, 750 kilograms of oil, and 600 kilograms of onions. These ingredients were carefully prepared and added to a massive custom-made steel pot measuring an incredible six metres in diameter. The sheer logistics of stirring this enormous quantity of food required ten assistants, equipped with giant wooden paddles, who worked tirelessly alongside Baci. The chef’s initial plan to use 250 bags of rice was adjusted to 200 to ensure the final dish did not exceed the 20,000-kilogram weight limit of the measuring equipment—a testament to the meticulous planning and precision required for the record attempt.

This culinary feat is a continuation of Hilda Baci’s journey as a trailblazing chef. In 2023, she shot to global fame for her previous Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Her 93-hour, 11-minute “Cook-a-thon” captivated a nation and earned her international recognition. Her latest attempt, which she tagged the “Gino World Jollof Festival,” further cemented her reputation as an innovator committed to showcasing Nigerian food culture. The personal and emotional toll of such a demanding event was evident when Baci, at one point, broke down in tears after scrolling through a flood of online messages of encouragement. The visible emotion underscored the profound human element of the event—it was a testament to her personal ambition and the overwhelming support from millions of Nigerians who saw her quest as a source of national pride.

The event itself drew a massive crowd of notable personalities, celebrating with the nation as the enormous pot of jollof rice simmered. The Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, was in attendance, alongside a host of celebrities and influencers, including Nollywood star Funke Akindele, Bambam, Tomike Adeoye, and Afrobeats singer Spyro. Addressing the audience, Funke Akindele lauded Baci’s determination and encouraged other women to pursue bold dreams, stating, “You can look beautiful, but you must hustle and do something special for yourself.” Her words captured the prevailing sentiment of the festival—it was an event that celebrated not just a culinary achievement but ambition, hard work, and the power of national unity. Even the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had commended Baci, recognizing her effort as another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence and a powerful form of cultural soft power.

While Baci has successfully completed the cooking, the final verification of the record now rests with Guinness World Records. The process is a rigorous one, requiring meticulous documentation. The event must be authenticated by official adjudicators and verified with comprehensive evidence, including video footage, witness statements, and detailed logbooks. This painstaking process ensures that all records are measurable, verifiable, and adhere to strict guidelines. The anticipation of the final confirmation is a shared experience for all who watched the event unfold, as it will officially crown Hilda Baci as the holder of a record that is a testament to her perseverance and Nigeria’s rich culinary tradition. The record-breaking pot of jollof rice is not just a dish; it is a symbol of a nation’s ability to come together, celebrate its culture, and showcase its creativity on a global stage.