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“Good habits foramed at youth make all the difference.”
—Aristotle
By Cosmas Omegoh
Early last week, Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, trended extensively across news and social media channels.
Baci, 29, was in the news because she was officially acknowledged by Guinness World Record (GWR) for preparing what is now known as the largest serving of Nigerian jollof rice.
Baci’s act gladdened countless Nigerian hearts amid escalating tensions, hunger and poverty that now leave many on tenterhooks.
GWR, in a post on its official X handle, @gwr, roared: “New record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”
GWR admitted that after a review of evidence at its disposal, Baci officially broke the individual record for the longest cooking marathon (cook-a-thon).
It took Baci approximately nine hours cooking the giant pot of jollof rice, although it took months to plan the event.
Baci called the duration nine hours of fire, passion and teamwork using 1,200 kg of gas to create the 16,600 plates of rice which she said was served with joy, love and community.
She was assisted by 10 other chefs wearing red uniforms, each one of them wielding long wooden spoons with which they stirred the food inside the giant pot.
Baci’s recipe, it was learnt, included 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600kg of onions and 168kg of goat meat. Everything was emptied into the custom-made pot believed to hold 23,000 litres.
The lady, who hails from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, hit that milestone on 12th September, 2025 at the cooking event that was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, with the theme, ’Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci,’ indeed turned global attention to Nigeria as a country never lacking in the power to surprise.
It was another feather on Baci’s cap, who earlier achieved the similar feat in 2023. But she was dethroned by a certain Alan Fisher, an Irish chef and owner of a restaurant in Japan.
But this time round, Baci overtook Evette Quoibia from Australia, whose feat stood at 140 hours and 11 minutes.
Therefore, anyone who has followed Baci’s iron-cast determination will attest that her efforts really forced a rebound.
She had to stoutly rise from the ashes of her loss two years ago, to retake her crown. Perhaps not many gave her any chance of a comeback. But she has done so – in a remarkable manner that bears clear marks of resilience, discipline and determination.
She wrote that the record is built on unity, love, and collective strength.
While the cook-a-thon was underway, a horde of Nigerians streamed to the venue to cheer and eat her food. Many followed the proceedings on their social media platforms.
For Baci, it was a sweet outing that marked her 30th birthday, having been born on September 20, 1995.
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Although no financial reward is attached to her accomplishments, it was learnt that “a Guinness World Records winner gets the prestige and global recognition of being a record holder, an official certificate of achievement, and the potential to be featured in the Guinness World Records publication,” GWR was quoted as saying.
GWR informs that the reason for its stances is to focus “on documenting human achievement,” adding that it does not offer sponsorships either, or cover expenses for record attempts, insisting that “the main reward is the honour and global recognition that comes with being a recognised record-breaker.”
Nevertheless, a certificate is awarded to mark the successful achievement of a world record.
All that is for Baci! And what is more: Baci’s achievement is already featured in the official Guinness World Records book and other publications. Add that to the fact that “the status of being a record holder can open doors to other opportunities such as endorsements, media appearances, and brand collaborations,” as noted by GWR.
So, Baci is a real winner – one whose streak is for every Nigerian since it is sure to open and even reopen opportunities many never thought had existed.
Indeed, Baci is a woman of many parts. Although she is a professional chef, she is also a television host, restaurateur and social media icon known for churning out exciting food recipes and lifestyle contents that gladden the heart.
However, until she took the world by storm, not many knew much about her culinary prowess, not to talk about the enormous talent that lies beneath her shapely frame.
But looking at her records, Baci is easily one not entirely new to success. In fact, she knows the sound of it even from a distance; for success has been dogging her way all along.
Recall that Baci used to host a television show, the Dine on a Budget in 2020, before going on to win the Jollof Face-off competition in 2021, beating Leslie Kumordzie of Ghana for the coveted prize.
After climbing the GWR podium to be knighted for the first time, she cemented her place as a celebrity that has come to stay.
Then last week, she went from being a GWR holder to a two-time record-breaker. And now, part of her unofficial reward is that at every turn, she is dominating discussions in hallowed terms.
A graduate of Sociology from the faith-based Madonna University, at Okija, Anambra State, Baci has proved that indeed, she learnt well from her mother – Lynda Ndukwe – said to be a chef based in Abuja.
It was glad to hear a remark credited to a happy Baci that she decided to retake the GWR in order to put Nigerian cuisine on the map and then inspire young African women to chase their dreams. She added that it was for those two inspiring reasons that she brutally pushed herself to the limits.
Right now, those who follow her will bear testimonies that her life’s curve is on an upward trajectory. For indeed, she has progressed from a cook-a-thon champ to a beacon and icon, with a promise to be an idol blessed with such admirable engaging energy.
It was learnt that while the cooking stint lasted, her freshly-cooked meals were consumed by fans that trouped to the arena to cheer her.
“My team’s and my goal for this event was to make it free to all and to feed the less privileged,” Baci said.
Already, the lady has clearly carved out a path for herself. However, her success is not for her alone but for Nigeria and countless youths who are surely looking up to tread the culinary pathway.
Without a doubt, Baci’s accomplishments are testaments to her strong upbringing, which epitomises enduring discipline and readiness to learn directly from her mother who stands rock solid as her teacher and mentor – a huge big lesson for every family.
Right now, Baci teaches without a marker board, that in this era of social media craze, total immersion in vain glory is pointless. Otherwise, she could have missed out on the life-changing opportunities her family had to offer.
And what is more: Baci now breathes life into the reality that greatness can be found often on neglected paths. Above everything, her achievements point everyone to a poet’s timeless truism that there is always a new horizon for the forward-looking.
Indeed, it is everyone’s honest expectation that she remains humbler to learn the true way to manage the success that streams her way.
