Lagos once again took center stage in global food history as Chef Hilda Baci, in partnership with Gino Nigeria, set a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilograms.
The feat was about precision. Guinness rules required specific ingredients, and Hilda shared the exact breakdown of what went into her gigantic pot: 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice (making up at least 80% of the total weight), 164 kg of fresh goat meat, 220 kg of Gino Asun & peppered chicken cubes, and 600 kg of her signature jollof pepper mix. Powered by 1,200 kg of gas, it took “nine hours of fire, passion and teamwork” to create 16,600 plates of rice, all distributed with strict instructions that no food could go to waste.
The scene was electric. Supporters who had endured hours of irresistible aromas finally broke into impromptu chants of “Hilda, we want jollof!” before being served steaming plates of what many later praised as “the sweetest jollof ever tasted.”
Reflecting on the effort, Hilda admitted, “I didn’t realize it would be this hard… it has been a challenge, but really satisfying. This achievement belongs to the people of Nigeria as they all contributed.”
Hilda is no stranger to global records. In May 2023, she made headlines worldwide after cooking for 93 hours, 11 minutes to claim the longest cooking marathon (individual). That moment sparked record-breaking fever across Africa, inspiring chefs and dreamers alike. Though her marathon record has since been surpassed—by Alan Fisher of Ireland (119 hr 57 min) and Evette Quoibia of Australia (140 hr 11 min)—Hilda’s name remains etched in history as the woman who turned Nigerian cuisine into a global spectacle.
With this latest triumph, Baci has once again proven that jollof is culture, identity, and pride served hot to the world.
