BREAKING: Hilda Baci Gets Historic 8780kg Guinness World Records Largest-Serving Pot Of Jollof Rice
The Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci, who ignited record fever across Africa in 2023, has once again made her way into the record books, Guinnes World Records has confirmed.
This time, her mission is to secure Nigeria’s edge in the long-running Jollof rivalry.
In a statement on Monday, GWR confirmed that Hilda, who teamed up with Gino Nigeria, prepared a record-breaking 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) of Nigerian-style jollof rice last Friday.
The Akwa Ibom-born chef, real name, Hilda Bassey, completed her attempt for the largest pot of jollof rice’ during an eight-hour open cooking session at Eko Hotels and Suites, VI, Lagos.
Guinnes he served up the dish at a Victoria Island, Lagos, event that drew thousands and featured stage performances.
A staple across West Africa, jollof rice has long sparked debate over which country makes it best: Ghana or Nigeria. The debate centers on both the ingredients used and the methods of preparation.
According to the record’s rules, certain ingredients were required, and Hilda revealed the exact measurements of everything she added to her record-breaking dish.
In a gigantic pot, she combined 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice (at least 80% of the total weight, as required), 164 kg of fresh goat meat, 220 kg of Gino Asun & Peppered Chicken Cubes, and 600 kg of her signature jollof pepper mix.
She said it took “nine hours of fire, passion and teamwork,” and 1,200 kg of gas, to produce 16,600 plates of rice “served with joy, love and community.”
Hilda was also required to follow strict rules on food distribution, ensuring that none of it went to waste.
A crowd attends an attempt to break the world record for the largest pot of Jollof rice, led by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci at Eko hotel in Lagos, on September 12, 2025. (Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP)
On Instagram, Hilda shared a video of the jollof rice being dished out to supporters who had endured the tantalizing smells before digging in.
Reflecting on her attempt, Hilda said: “I didn’t realize it would be this hard — it has been a real challenge. It took a lot of hard work, but achieving the record is truly satisfying.
“This record also belongs to the people of Nigeria, because they all contributed to its success.”
In May 2023, Hilda broke the internet after setting the record for the longest individual cooking marathon, lasting 93 hours and 11 minutes. The feat in Lekki, Lagos, drew both national and international attention.
In May 2023, Hilda broke the internet after setting the record for the longest individual cooking marathon, lasting 93 hours and 11 minutes. The feat in Lekki, Lagos, drew both national and international attention.
Hilda sparked a wave of record-breaking fever across Africa, with applications pouring in from people eager to attempt their own marathons.
The longest cooking marathon is a fiercely contested record and has been broken twice since Hilda first claimed it.
In October 2023, Alan Fisher of Ireland cooked for 119 hr 57 min 16 sec, before Australia’s Evette Quoibia pushed the mark even further in February 2024 with 140 hr 11 min 11 sec.
