Guinness World Records Confirms Landmark Achievement
Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice. The official weight of her dish reached 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds, 9 ounces). Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement on its official X account, marking Baci as the first chef recognized in this category.
The event took place on Victoria Island, Lagos, in partnership with food brand Gino. Thousands gathered to watch the record-breaking cook, celebrating a dish that holds deep cultural value in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Inside the Record-Breaking Jollof Rice Cook
The Guinness World Records team noted that strict rules had to be followed. Baci and her team used exact ingredient measurements and ensured that none of the food went to waste.
Her gigantic pot included 4,000 kilograms of washed basmati rice, 164 kilograms of fresh goat meat, 220 kilograms of Gino Asun and peppered chicken cubes, and 600 kilograms of her homemade jollof pepper mix. The preparation consumed 1,200 kilograms of gas over nine hours, resulting in 16,600 plates of rice served to the public.
“Her ingredients, cooked up in a gigantic pot, created a meal that combined fire, passion, and teamwork,” Guinness reported.
A Crowd-Pulling Celebration in Lagos
The record attempt drew massive crowds, with thousands gathering to witness the preparation. The atmosphere was one of celebration, pride, and community spirit.
“This achievement also belongs to the people of Nigeria as they all contributed to the achievement,” Baci said during the event. She also admitted that the process was tougher than she expected: “I didn’t realize it would be this hard and it has been a challenge. It’s a lot of hard work but really satisfying to achieve the record.”
From Cooking Marathon to Jollof Rice Recognition
Hilda Baci was already a household name in 2023 when she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes, earning the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. That record has since been broken twice.
However, her new recognition sets her apart once again, as she is now the first chef officially honored by Guinness for Nigerian-style jollof rice. This achievement highlights not just her culinary skills, but also the cultural significance of jollof rice in West Africa.
