Two years ago, Nigerian chef Hilda Baci captivated global audiences when she cooked her way into the Guinness World Records. In May 2023, the Lagos-based culinary star completed a 100-hour cooking marathon that earned her international acclaim and cemented her name as one of Africa’s most dynamic food ambassadors.
Her feat, however, was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher in November 2023. Yet, the dethroning did little to dim her spirit or global influence. Instead, Baci has returned with an even bigger dream. This time, not for World Guinness Record but to achieve a dream she had in 2023.
“Almost two years ago I had the dream to cook the largest pot of Jollof Rice ever made. And now, with ginonaija and YOU, that dream is coming alive,” she said in an Instagram post in August.
The new challenge, tagged #GinoworldJollofFestwithHildaBaci, will see her prepare a record-breaking pot of Jollof rice measuring six metres wide and six metres tall in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand, Gino.
In an accompanying video, Baci reflected on her journey so far. “Some dreams keep us awake until we make them reality. In 2023, it was the Hildebassi Cookathon that took the world by storm. This year, it’s Jollof, the heartbeat of West Africa. A taste that tells our story. It’s more than cooking. It’s a celebration of our food, our culture, music and us. We’re making history again and I want you to be there when it happens.”
Her latest feat, scheduled for September 12, 2025, will not only attempt a new culinary world record but also serve as a cultural festival.
According to organisers, the event will feature food exhibitions, cultural showcases, live entertainment, and immersive experiences celebrating Jollof rice as a symbol of identity, resilience, and community.
For Baci, the numbers behind the project are staggering.
She revealed plans to use 250 bags of rice, carefully calculating the yield for the giant pot. “My goal is to fill this pot up by at least 75 to 80 per cent. That means I will need about 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice to achieve the yield,” she explained.
Although the calculation initially translated to 264 bags, she opted for a leaner approach. “I am making the executive decision to do 250 bags,” she added.
Baci to use 1,583 kilogrammes of tomato paste
The condiments, too, will be on a monumental scale. “For one kg of rice, you would need between 0.20 to 0.35, but because it’s Nigerian jollof, I’m going to use 0.30. That means I will need 1,583 kilogrammes of Gino tomato paste,” Baci said. She noted that the tomato base would be divided evenly among tomato paste, pepper chicken paste, and Jollof paste to create what she promised would be the “most delicious, largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice you have ever tasted.”
With excitement building across the country, the venue has already been shifted to Eko Hotel Car Park B in Lagos to accommodate the massive turnout expected.
Oreoluwa Atinmo, Marketing Director of GBfoods Nigeria, explained the decision: “The move was driven by the need to host the event safely and comfortably, given the huge public interest.”
For Baci, the upcoming event is more than just about food. It is about legacy as she said, “two years ago, I imagined the largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice the world has ever seen. And today, with Gino, a brand we all grew up with, my dream is becoming a reality.”
