Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has revealed how a dramatic mishap during her Guinness World Record attempt for the largest serving of jollof rice turned into an unlikely advantage.
Speaking in a video interview shared on X, the restaurateur admitted she was momentarily shaken when the custom-built six-metre-wide pot, designed to hold 23,000 litres, unexpectedly collapsed as it was being hoisted for weighing.
“My heart was in my hands. I was very scared, very worried,” Hilda recalled. “But for me, the record was not the most important thing. It was important that people got to taste and enjoy the food we had spent hours making.”
The incident occurred on 12 September during the World Jollof Festival at Eko Hotels, Lagos, where Hilda and her team cooked nearly 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds) of Nigerian-style jollof rice. Despite the crane malfunction that caused the pot’s support legs to give way, the food remained intact.
Rather than derail the record attempt, Hilda said the accident eased food distribution for the thousands who attended the event. “I would say it was a good thing that the pot caved because it made food distribution a lot easier… it was a blessing in disguise,” she explained.
Her team quickly documented the process with photos and video evidence, which Guinness World Records later validated, officially confirming her as the record holder.
Observers have since praised Hilda’s composure under pressure, noting that her response kept the event on track and ensured the feat was recognised worldwide.
