Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci turned the Eko Hotel Convention Centre into a culinary spectacle on Friday as she embarked on an ambitious bid to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice.
The event, part of the World Jollof Day celebrations dubbed the “Gino World Fest,” drew an estimated crowd of over 20,000 enthusiastic supporters, including celebrities, food lovers, and Gen Z fans, all eager to see history in the making.
The live stream on YouTube kicked off around 1 p.m. local time, capturing the buzz as preparations unfolded. Cooking finally commenced at exactly 2:25 p.m., with Hilda and her team pouring in an initial 200 bags of basmati rice—reduced from the planned 250 due to logistical and weighing challenges—equating to approximately 4,000 kg of rice, enough to feed thousands.
The massive custom-made pot, measuring six meters in diameter, was a sight to behold as participants, including Hilda’s mother, stirred and added ingredients under the scorching Lagos sun, transforming the venue into a vibrant festival atmosphere complete with music, dances, and cheers.
Celebrities turned out in force to lend their support, adding star power to the occasion. Fashion designer Veekee James, media personality Tomike Adegbite, actors Samuel and Folagbade Banks, and influencer Alex Ekubo were among those spotted cheering Hilda on, mingling with the crowd and sharing the excitement on social media.
The Nigerian government also backed the event, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation pledging support and lauding Hilda’s efforts to showcase Nigerian culture globally.
As the sun set and the cooking progressed through the evening, anticipation built for the climax: weighing the colossal pot to confirm if it surpassed the current Guinness World Record for the largest serving of jollof rice. Around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, the moment arrived.
The first weighing attempt saw the scale spike to about 10,000 kg before dramatically dropping back down. Undeterred, the team tried again, this time reaching approximately 8,000 kg on the scale, only for it to plummet to less than 100 kg moments later.
It soon became apparent that the instruments used to hoist and hold the enormous, steaming pot were not optimally placed, causing instability and repeated failures.
After tense minutes of adjustments stretching toward 2 a.m., the decision was made to proceed without a flawless weighing. The pot was carefully opened, revealing a steaming mountain of aromatic jollof rice.
Distribution began immediately, with coolers filled and portions handed out to the thrilled individuals present, ensuring no one left hungry.
The massive support from the crowd, both in-person and online, was palpable, with social media flooded by videos and photos of the feat.
Some fans in the YouTube live stream comments speculated that the pot’s extreme heat—after hours of cooking over open flames—may have contributed to the handling difficulties, making it tricky to maneuver without risking burns or spills.
Whether the record has officially been broken remains unconfirmed by Guinness World Records as of this morning, pending a thorough review of the evidence submitted.
However, Hilda Baci’s team described the event as an unqualified success, highlighting the unity, joy, and cultural pride it inspired.
This marks another bold chapter for the 28-year-old chef, who first gained international fame in 2023 for her record-breaking 93-hour cooking marathon. Hilda expressed her gratitude on Instagram, posting: “We did it together! The love was overwhelming.”
Fans worldwide are now awaiting the official verdict, but one thing is clear: Hilda Baci has once again put Nigerian jollof rice and her unyielding spirit on the global map.