Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has done it again—this time cooking her way into the Guinness World Records with the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing a mind-blowing 8,780 kg. The feat happened on September 12 in Lagos and was confirmed by Guinness on Monday, sparking celebration across the country.
The 28-year-old chef didn’t do it alone. She teamed up with Gino Nigeria and 10 other chefs to bring the mega dish to life, including at least 168 kg of goat meat. By the end of the marathon cooking, over 16,600 plates of steaming jollof were served to excited visitors on Victoria Island, turning the neighbourhood into one giant food festival.
Nine hours of fire and teamwork
Speaking after the event, Hilda revealed that it took “nine hours of fire, passion and teamwork” plus a whopping 1,200 kg of cooking gas to complete the challenge. The atmosphere, she said, was pure “joy, love and community” as everyone who came left with a plate of jollof happiness.
Guinness World Records officially recognized the record during a live video call with Hilda, noting that no one had ever attempted such a massive serving before. On Instagram, the organization hailed it as a “brand new record,” cementing Nigeria’s love for jollof on the global stage.
Why it matters: Jollof pride
Jollof rice isn’t just food; it’s culture. Popular across West Africa, Nigeria’s smoky, tomato-rich version is arguably the most famous. By creating the world’s largest pot, Hilda didn’t just set a record—she reminded the world that when it comes to jollof, Nigeria leads the conversation.
From endurance to legacy
This isn’t Hilda’s first dance with records. Back in May 2023, she wowed the world by cooking non-stop for 93 hours and 11 minutes, before being overtaken by chefs in Ireland and Australia. But with this jollof achievement, she’s proven she’s more than an endurance champion—she’s a symbol of Nigerian culinary pride.
Guinness summed it up best: “Hilda Bassey and Gino, you are the world record holders for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice. Congratulations.”
