The celebration continues for Nigerian culinary queen Hilda Bassey Effiong, known globally as Hilda Baci, who has officially received her two plaques from Guinness World Records (GWR). The chef, who became a national phenomenon in 2023, confirmed the arrival of her double honors in a social media post, cementing her status as a two-time world record holder.
The image shared online shows a beaming Hilda Baci, clad in her chef’s whites, proudly displaying two framed GWR certificates: one for her iconic “longest cooking marathon (individual)” set in May 2023, and a second, historic record for the “largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice.”
The chef’s celebratory caption spoke volumes about her journey of faith and national pride: “Our plaques are finally here!!! Two records. Two plaques. One story of faith, fire, and history. Twice, God showed up for me. Twice, we made history for Nigeria… I’m a two-time world record holder, someone pinch me.”
The Saga of the Largest Serving: A New Culinary Crown
While Hilda Baci’s original 2023 cook-a-thon dominated headlines, her second, less-publicized achievement—the largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice—is a testament to her vision and partnership with Gino, a local brand.
This record, achieved on September 12, 2023, saw Hilda and her team successfully cook an immense portion of Nigeria’s most beloved dish. The plaque confirms the achievement was for a serving of 6,786 kg (14,960 lb) of jollof rice, a feat designed to showcase Nigerian cuisine on a colossal scale.
The massive jollof pot—which literally necessitated a forklift and a specialized industrial setup—was more than a cooking challenge; it was a cultural statement. By tackling the definitive dish of West African culinary rivalry, Hilda solidified her role not just as a record breaker, but as a global ambassador for Nigerian food culture.
The Marathon: The Record That Started the Movement
The first plaque celebrates the achievement that initially made Hilda Baci a household name: the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
From May 11 to May 15, 2023, Hilda captivated the world by enduring a gruelling 93 hours and 11 minutes in the kitchen in Lagos, Nigeria. The event, held at Amore Gardens, transformed into a national rallying point, drawing thousands of cheering supporters, celebrities, and even political figures.
Although the initial attempt was for 100 hours, GWR later officially ratified the record at 93 hours and 11 minutes after reviewing her rest breaks. This monumental effort broke the previous record and sparked a wave of subsequent GWR attempts across Nigeria and the continent.
Hilda Baci’s journey, which she poetically describes as “a story that reached over 5 billion people,” underscores the power of purpose and passion. Her efforts have not only brought international recognition to Nigerian resilience and talent but have also directly inspired a generation of young Africans to chase their own ambitious dreams on the world stage.
With two plaques now adorning her space, the self-proclaimed Queen of the Kitchen has more than earned her titles, reminding Nigeria—and the world—that greatness, indeed, comes with fire and faith.
