When Guinness World Records announced on September 12, 2025, that Nigerian chef Hilda Baci had set a new record for the largest serving of jollof rice at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, the achievement was more than a culinary triumph — it was a lesson in vision, persistence, and global storytelling.
Hilda Effiong Bassey, widely known as Hilda Baci, had already captured international attention in 2023 when she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes to claim the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Two years later, she returned with a feat that combined food, culture, and community: cooking 8,780 kg of jollof rice in a specially built six-metre-wide pot designed to hold more than 22,000 litres.
What might seem like “just rice” to some became a powerful cultural statement. The Gino World Jollof Festival drew thousands of Lagosians, celebrities, and dignitaries, including actress Funke Akindele, media personality Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun State Governor. The event transformed a staple dish into a unifying force for Nigerians and a global audience.
More Than Just a Pot of Rice
For many observers, Hilda’s record was less about the food itself and more about what it symbolised — creativity, resilience, and the ability to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Like her 2023 marathon, this event aligned perfectly with Guinness World Records’ mission: celebrating achievements that inspire wonder, inclusivity, and joy.
Writers have compared her drive to the principles of motivational thinkers such as Wallace D. Wattles (The Science of Being Great) and Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking). Their teachings echo in Hilda’s journey: daring to attempt the impossible, believing in the process, and firing the heart with determination.
The Bigger Picture
The ripple effects went far beyond the pot. Corporate brands partnered to bring the spectacle to life; communities formed around the shared experience; and Nigeria’s food culture once again dominated global headlines. The festival was not just about breaking records but also about building networks, boosting the economy, and celebrating identity.
Hilda’s achievement met every Guinness World Records benchmark — measurable, verifiable, standardised, and undeniably the best in the world. Yet its impact lay in how she turned a household meal into a global conversation, proving that records are not just numbers, but narratives of possibility.
As the applause continues, one thing is clear: Hilda Baci has not only fed Guinness World Records with the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, she has fed millions with the belief that with courage, passion, and creativity, nothing is impossible.
