The energy inside Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, was nothing short of electric as culinary superstar Hilda Baci cooked her way into history again. This time, the record-smashing chef whipped up the largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice ever, a Guinness World Record first that drew a staggering crowd of over 20,000 foodies, celebrities, and influencers.
In true Hilda style, she kicked things off with a playful twist — personally scrubbing the gigantic red pot before declaring to her fans: “Yes, I can officially confirm this pot is squeaky clean! I washed it myself.”
Precision was key. Hilda explained to journalists that every grain of rice and every spice was measured with “mathematical accuracy” to maintain the authenticity of the iconic West African dish. But before the fire roared, she paused for an intimate prayer session led by Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church, setting a solemn tone before the fiery spectacle began.
As the jollof simmered, the crowd grew restless with excitement. Big names like Funke Akindele, Veekee James, Tomike Adeoye, and Enioluwa turned up to cheer her on, while singer Spyro added rhythm to the flavour with a lively performance.
Guinness World Records even dropped a supportive message on Instagram: “Best of luck, Hilda and team!”
Hilda Baci is no stranger to rewriting history. In 2023, she stunned the world with her 93-hour “Cookathon,” setting the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. This latest feat — the world’s largest pot of jollof rice — solidifies her place as not just a chef, but a cultural force who continues to inspire a generation of dreamers.
Once again, Hilda proves that when it comes to ambition and innovation, her pot never runs dry.
