By Emeka Blast 
Guinness Record Attempt: Hilda Baci Plans 250-Bag Jollof Rice Cookout
Baci, who captivated the world in 2023 with her Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon (93 hours and 11 minutes), revealed that the specially designed pot for this attempt boasts a capacity of 22,619 liters, measuring 6 meters wide, 1.1 meters tall, and 1.3 meters deep. “My goal is to fill this pot up by at least 75 to 80 percent. That means I will need about 5,278 kilograms of raw basmati rice,” she explained, noting that while calculations pointed to 264 bags, she strategically opted for 250, per promptnewsonline.com. The event, part of the Gino World Jollof Festival, is expected to be a cultural celebration with free attendance and live performances, according to The Nation Newspaper.
To craft the “most delicious Nigerian jollof rice ever,” Baci will use 1,583 kilograms of tomato paste, alongside pepper chicken paste, jollof paste, garlic, ginger, fresh thyme, rosemary, and curry, per thenationonlineng.net and premiumtimesng.com. A successful dry run, conducted with her team and partners Gino Naija, showcased the massive pot’s capabilities, stirring excitement online with clips shared by YEN.COM.GH and @hildabaci.
Baci’s attempt is more than a record bid; it’s a celebration of Nigerian cuisine and West African unity, as she stated in her announcement: “Jollof is the heartbeat of West Africa.” The project, two years in the making, has reignited the playful Nigeria-Ghana jollof rivalry, with fans on X buzzing with anticipation. @NaijaFoodie tweeted, “Hilda Baci cooking 250 bags of rice for jollof? Nigeria’s winning this one! 🇳🇬 #JollofWars,” while @AfricaFactsZone noted, “Hilda’s pot is a monster! 6×6 meters? This is history in the making! #GWR.”
The chef’s mathematical breakdown of the project, shared via @Legit.ng, impressed fans, with @PoojaMedia posting, “Hilda’s not just a chef, she’s a mathematician! 5,278kg of rice? Let’s go!” Her collaboration with Gino Naija and meticulous planning have drawn praise, with creebhills.com calling it a “testament to her ambition and Nigeria’s culinary heritage.”
Scheduled for September 12 at Muri Okunola Park, the event promises to be a spectacle, with Baci aiming to surpass the current unverified record for the largest jollof pot. Success would further elevate her global profile and Nigeria’s cultural influence, following her 2023 cook-a-thon that trended worldwide, per dailypost.ng. Fans can follow updates on @hildabaci’s Instagram, where she invited supporters to “witness history” on the big day.
As Baci prepares to cook for 10,000, her endeavor underscores the power of food to unite communities and break records. With Nigeria’s jollof legacy on the line, all eyes are on Lagos for what promises to be a historic culinary milestone.
