Nigerian culinary talent Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy, has debunked viral rumours suggesting that she is planning to attempt a record for the largest pot of beans following Hilda Baci’s recent achievement of cooking the largest serving of jollof rice.
Chef Dammy, who became a household name after her 2023 cook-a-thon attempt in Ekiti State, clarified her stance in a social media post, stating that she has no such plans.
Speaking in a video shared on her official Instagram page, she said: “Some of my classmates are still telling me that, ‘Dammy, do you truly want to cook beans?’ Like, no! Why would I do that?” She said, dismissing the speculation with humour.
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Rather than preparing for another record attempt, the young chef took time to celebrate Hilda Baci, who recently earned a Guinness World Record for cooking the largest pot of jollof rice. Dammy described Hilda’s feat as a victory not just for her but for Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.
“I’d like to send a very big congratulations to Ms. Hilda for the just completed project of cooking the biggest pot of jollof rice to feed thousands,” she said. “Congratulations to Nigeria as a whole too, because this is a win for everybody in Nigeria, to all the African countries.”
Chef Dammy, currently a student at the Hospitality Business School in Lagos, where she is pursuing a professional culinary diploma on a full scholarship, reflected on her journey and the challenges she has faced since gaining public attention.
She expressed gratitude to those who have supported her through her growth as a chef and encouraged her during difficult times.
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“I would just like to say thank you to everybody that has been supporting me, to everybody that has been fighting on my behalf online, to my school mothers, to everybody, and to everybody that has helped in my growth and promotion, that has been supporting me financially,” she said.
Dammy admitted that her viral cook-a-thon experience was unexpected and came with a wave of public scrutiny that took a toll on her emotional well-being.
“Even the cook-a-thon, I didn’t know it was going to be viral. I didn’t even tell my parents about it; they just saw me. I was shocked to see myself on social media,” she revealed.
While her record attempt brought her fame, it also attracted criticism and cyberbullying, which she said left her feeling overwhelmed. She noted that the online trolling was only a small part of the bullying and assault she endured offline.
“The backlash was so much. I was broken. People didn’t understand that there was a lot happening behind the scenes,” Dammy said in a past interview, highlighting the mental health toll of overnight fame.
Despite the negative experiences, Chef Dammy continues to focus on building her career and honing her culinary skills. She has since taken advantage of her growing platform to inspire other young Nigerians to follow their passions.
Her latest statement makes it clear that she is not currently planning another marathon cooking attempt but is committed to using her culinary education to make an impact in Nigeria’s food industry.
By dismissing the rumour with grace and congratulating Hilda Baci, Chef Dammy showed maturity and solidarity, reminding fans that the success of one chef is a win for all.
