Nigerian celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, has officially set a world record for the largest serving of Jollof rice.
This is as Guinness World Records confirmed Hilda Baci’s largest serving of jollof rice as a new world record.
The feat was accomplished in partnership with food brand Gino at Victoria Island, Lagos, and has now been formally recognized by Guinness World Records.
Announcing the confirmation on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), Guinness World Records wrote: “New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”
Reacting, Hilda Baci said: “We have done it again 🙏#nigeria #hildabaci”
Pan-Atlantic Kompas reports that Hilda Baci, a 28-year-old celebrity chef, already renowned for her 2023 cooking marathon record, orchestrated the world record for the largest serving of Jollof rice using over 4,000kg of basmati rice.
The event, dubbed the “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci,” unfolded at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on September 12, drawing an estimated crowd of over 20,000 registered attendees.
Despite a dramatic moment when the giant custom-made pot—measuring six meters wide and deep with a 23,000-liter capacity—collapsed during the weighing process, Baci’s team quickly adapted.
Baci said she poured 4,000 kilogrammes of basmati rice, 500 cartons of tomato concentrate, 750 kilogrammes of oil, and 600 kilogrammes of onions into a six-metre-wide steel cauldron.
The Akwa Ibom-born chef explained that although she initially planned to cook 250 bags of rice, she cut it to 200 bags to stay within the 20,000-kilogramme weight limit.
“It was safer to keep it below the scale’s capacity. Reducing by 1,000 kilogrammes still gave us enough to feed 20,000 people,” she explained.
Baci was aided by ten assistants in red uniforms wielding massive wooden spoons, stirring the mammoth concoction while DJs, musicians, and celebrities kept the crowd entertained.
Notable figures included Ogun State First Lady Bamidele Abiodun, Nollywood star Funke Akindele, Bambam, Tomike Adeoye, influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Alex Unusual, TikTok star Peller, designer Veekee James, and Afrobeats singer Spyro.
Funke praised Hilda’s resilience and urged women to embrace ambition. “You can look beautiful, but you must hustle and do something special for yourself,” she told the cheering audience.
Baci herself broke down in tears mid-way as she scrolled through messages online, overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
Nigerians have begun congratulating Hilda Baci on her official recognition as the holder of the world record for the largest serving of Jollof Rice.
Below are some of the reactions;
