Celebrity chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has officially received her Guinness World Records (GWR) plaque for preparing the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
The 29-year-old culinary star unveiled the plaque on Thursday, sharing photos on Instagram where she proudly posed in her signature white chef outfit.
In her post, Hilda celebrated her second world record, following her 2023 record-breaking cook-a-thon, with words of gratitude and reflection.
“Our plaques are finally here! Two records. Two plaques. One story of faith, fire, and history. Twice, God showed up for me. Twice, we made history for Nigeria,” she wrote. “And not just any records, two of the biggest culinary records ever set.”
The chef also acknowledged her partnership with Gino Nigeria, noting that their collaboration turned into a story “bigger than herself”, one that reached billions globally and proved the power of passion and purpose.
“I’m a two-time world record holder. Someone pinch me,” she added, quoting Isaiah 61:7 in celebration.
The Guinness World Records team congratulated her in the comments section of her post, writing: “Fantastic photos! Congratulations again, Hilda.”
Hilda’s record-setting attempt took place on September 12, 2025, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, two years after her first world record feat.
At the “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci,” she cooked an astonishing 8,780 kilograms of Nigerian-style jollof rice over eight hours, drawing a massive crowd of fans, celebrities, and influencers.
The event featured appearances by Funke Akindele, Bambam, Tomike Adeoye, Alex Unusual, Peller, Spyro, and Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun.
To achieve the record, Hilda used 4,000 kg of basmati rice, 500 cartons of tomato concentrate, 750 kg of cooking oil and 600 kg of onions.
The rice was cooked in a six-metre-wide steel pot, hoisted by a crane for weighing.
At one point, the pot’s cover slipped and its legs bent slightly, prompting a brief pause in the cooking process.
However, the team quickly stabilized the structure and continued.
Originally planning to cook 250 bags of rice, Hilda reduced it to 200 bags to stay within the 20,000-kg safety limit.
“It was safer to keep it below the scale’s capacity,” she explained. “Reducing by 1,000 kilograms still gave us enough to feed 20,000 people.”
After the successful cook, the jollof was packed into takeaway containers and distributed to the delighted crowd amid live music, DJ sets, and vibrant performances.
Three days later, on September 15, 2025, Guinness World Records officially confirmed Hilda’s achievement, certifying her as the record holder for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz).
The confirmation followed verification that all cooking ratios, safety protocols, and food distribution standards were properly observed to prevent waste.
Reflecting on the achievement, Hilda said the challenge tested her endurance and commitment:
“I didn’t realise 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.”
She emphasized that her goal went beyond the title itself, it was about celebrating Nigerian culture, unity and cuisine on a global stage.
“It’s more than setting records,” she said.
“It’s about feeding a nation and showing the world what Nigeria stands for.”
This marks Hilda Baci’s second Guinness World Record, following her 2023 cookathon, during which she cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lekki, Lagos, a feat that made her a national inspiration and global culinary icon.
