Tension gripped spectators on Friday night after a dramatic incident unfolded during celebrity chef Hilda Baci’s attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice.
The event, tagged “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci”, was held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos and attracted thousands of fans, celebrities, and curious onlookers.
However, the atmosphere turned chaotic when the giant custom-built pot collapsed during the weighing process.
According to organizers, the massive pot, measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, with a total capacity of 22,619 litres, was being hoisted by a crane onto an industrial scale for official verification when it gave way under its own weight.
The collapse triggered panic among attendees, with viral videos capturing the moment on social media.
Earlier in the day, Hilda had announced that over 20,000 participants had registered for the free event.
Long queues formed outside the venue as people scrambled to confirm their registrations, while security personnel struggled to manage the surging crowd.
Originally, Baci had planned to use 5,000kg of raw basmati rice (about 250 bags) for the record attempt.
However, citing logistical issues with weighing, she scaled it down to 4,000kg (around 200 bags).
Despite the setback, her team remains confident that the attempt could still qualify for Guinness World Records recognition.
“We are reviewing the footage and the process. Safety was our priority, and the record attempt will proceed for certification,” a spokesperson said.
The high-profile event saw appearances from Nigerian entertainment heavyweights including actress Funke Akindele and rapper Falz, further boosting its media coverage.
Hilda Baci became a household name in 2023 after smashing the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking over 93 hours of continuous cooking in Lagos.
Her rise to fame earned her national acclaim and international attention.
It is yet to be confirmed whether Guinness officials will certify the latest attempt, but Baci’s team and supporters remain hopeful.
