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Hilda Baci, Gino Set Guinness World Record For Largest Serving Of Nigerian Jollof Rice
Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has etched her name once again into the Guinness World Records after achieving the largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice in Lagos.
Guinness World Records announced the feat in a post on X on Monday stating: “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 🇳🇬.”
Real name Hilda Bassey, the chef partnered with food brand Gino Nigeria to cook the monumental dish on Friday, September 12, at an event on Victoria Island. The occasion drew thousands of people who watched as Hilda and her team stirred up 8,780 kg of the iconic West African meal. Performers also entertained the crowd while the giant pot simmered.
Jollof rice, a popular dish across West Africa, has long fuelled the “Jollof Wars” between Nigeria and Ghana over whose version reigns supreme. Hilda made it clear that her latest feat was not just about breaking a record, but about cementing Nigeria’s place in the culinary rivalry.
The Guinness rules stipulated strict measurements and ingredient requirements. Hilda revealed that she used 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice, 164 kg of fresh goat meat, 220 kg of Gino Asun & peppered chicken cubes, and 600 kg of her pepper mix. It took nine hours of cooking and 1,200 kg of gas to produce 16,600 plates of jollof, which were served to attendees under strict conditions ensuring no food went to waste.
Sharing the experience, Hilda admitted: “I didn’t realize it would be this hard and it has been a challenge. It’s a lot of hard work but really satisfying to achieve the record. This achievement also belongs to the people of Nigeria as they all contributed to the achievement.”
Crowds who had endured the aroma throughout the cooking erupted into chants of “Hilda, we want jollof” before finally tucking into the record-breaking dish. Videos from Hilda’s Instagram showed plates being handed out to excited supporters, many of whom praised the taste.
Guinness World Records noted that while there is a category for the largest serving of Ghanaian jollof rice, it currently has no record holder.
Hilda first captured global attention in May 2023 when she broke the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual) with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes in Lekki, Lagos.
The attempt went viral, crashing the Guinness website as thousands rushed to confirm her achievement. Although her record has since been surpassed twice, her new feat further solidifies her influence in Africa’s record-breaking culture.
