Nigeria’s pride in its iconic dish, jollof rice, just reached a new global stage thanks to celebrity chef Hilda Baci.
On Monday, Sept 15, 2025, Guinness World Records confirmed that Baci had officially broken the record for the largest serving of jollof rice, after she and her team cooked an astonishing 8,780 kilograms of the West African staple in Lagos last Friday.
A Feast of Epic Proportions
The fiery spectacle unfolded on Victoria Island, where hundreds of excited onlookers gathered to cheer her on. The challenge, which took nearly nine hours of nonstop preparation, involved not only heat and flavor but also drama: the giant retrofitted pot collapsed under a crane during weighing, adding tension before victory was declared.
Still, the result was clear — Baci had more than doubled the required 4,700 kilograms set by Guinness World Records. Once weighed and confirmed, the mountain of rice was generously shared with the crowd, creating a massive street party atmosphere in Lagos.
Cooking Up a Legacy
This is not Baci’s first brush with Guinness fame. In 2023, she briefly held the record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking 93 hours and 11 minutes in a feat that captivated the continent. Although that title was later overtaken by Irish chef Alan Fisher, Baci’s determination to push the boundaries of culinary endurance sparked a wave of creative record attempts across West Africa — from longest book readings to endurance skipping rope sessions and even the longest speeches.
With her latest win, Baci has once again ignited a sense of pride and celebration in Nigeria and beyond, cementing her name as not just a chef but a cultural icon.
Jollof Wars, Settled?
For many West Africans, jollof rice isn’t just food — it’s identity, competition, and pride. From Ghana to Senegal, nations boast their own “best jollof” claims, often sparking playful debates known as the “jollof wars.”
Baci has ensured that Nigeria’s version of jollof rice takes the global spotlight, at least for now.
