Celebrity chef Hilda Baci on Friday completed her ambitious attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, bringing her closer to another historic culinary feat. She now awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records (GWR).
The event, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, drew thousands of supporters, food lovers, and media crews. Baci prepared the massive dish in a custom-built six-metre-wide pot with a 22,619-litre capacity, using 250 bags of rice. More than 20,000 people registered to attend the festival-like gathering, where servings of the record-breaking meal were shared.
Congratulating Baci, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, hailed the effort as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence.” Delivering his message through the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the minister commended her meticulous planning, hygiene standards, and determination.
“Her dedication to excellence and unrelenting pursuit of greatness exemplify the Nigerian spirit that the world has come to appreciate,” Idris said, pledging the Federal Government’s support for similar initiatives that promote Nigerian culture on the global stage.
On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Idris also described the challenge as a “collective national victory”, urging Nigerian youths to emulate Baci’s discipline and creativity.
Baci, who rose to international fame in 2023 after setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon with a 93-hour effort, said this new challenge was about showcasing Nigeria’s culinary pride.
The atmosphere at the venue was festive, with vendors selling Nigerian snacks and meals, content creators documenting the event, and security officials ensuring order. For many attendees, the record attempt doubled as a cultural celebration of jollof rice — a beloved West African dish at the heart of Nigeria and Ghana’s long-running food rivalry.
Now, all eyes turn to Guinness World Records for the official verdict on whether Hilda Baci’s giant pot of jollof rice will enter the record books.