How Hilda Baci’s Jollof Rice Feat Redefines Nigerian Culinary Pride

In a moment that felt more like celebration than competition, Nigerian chef and food influencer Hilda Baci has officially claimed a new Guinness World Records title, not for how long she stirred a pot, but for how much joy (and jollof) she stirred into her community.

A Pot So Big It Made History

On 12 September 2025, during the World Jollof Festival in Lagos, Hilda Baci set out on a culinary mission: to cook the largest quantity of jollof rice ever prepared at once. The numbers are staggering. Her team used 4,000 kilograms of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600kg of onions, and a specially-constructed steel vessel capable of holding 23,000 litres of content.

After roughly nine hours of continuous effort, the giant pan was ready. Though there were challenges, the pot, under the weight of its contents, failed to hold up perfectly when lifted for weighing, the event was documented through multiple cameras, and the food was then portioned out to a massive crowd.

The Official Word From Guinness

Guinness World Records has since confirmed Hilda Baci’s feat. The record: “Largest quantity of jollof rice cooked at once.”

It’s a title that complements her earlier achievement in 2023, when she set the world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual – 93 hours and 11 minutes. While that particular record was later broken, it underscored her reputation as someone with vision, stamina, and deep love for Nigerian food.

Beyond The Numbers: What This Means For Nigerian Food & Culture

This isn’t just about setting a record. It’s about pride, identity, and the power of food to unite people. Here are a few ways Hilda Baci’s new record carries meaning:

Cultural Showcase: Jollof rice is no ordinary dish in West Africa, it’s a symbol. Every ingredient, every stir, every flavour tells a story. To cook such a massive quantity publicly is to shout, “This is who we are.”

Community: After the cooking, the rice was shared among thousands. The act of feeding people, of bringing people together around common love, transforms the event into a cultural moment.

Inspiration: For aspiring chefs, food lovers, and everyone who sees Nigerian food as more than sustenance, this sets a bar. It says big dreams are possible, even with something as humble and beloved as jollof rice.

Nigeria has always claimed to have the best jollof, now there’s a world record attached to that claim. With Guinness World Records’ confirmation, Hilda Baci didn’t just cook a mountain of rice; she cooked a moment of cultural pride that will be remembered and retold.

Her feat reminds us that sometimes, greatness isn’t just in being first, but in bringing people together over flavour, heritage, and shared joy.