When you think of jollof rice, you think of celebration. Birthdays, weddings, Sunday afternoons, festivals—jollof is always at the center of West African joy. But on September 12, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, Hilda Baci took this beloved dish from the heart of family kitchens to the pages of Guinness World Records, cooking up the largest single pot of jollof rice ever made.
And she didn’t just break the record—she smashed it.
The Giant Pot That Stunned the World
In Victoria Island, Lagos, a crowd gathered as Hilda and her team unveiled a specially built cooking pot, wide and deep enough to hold what would become 8,780 kilograms of jollof rice—nearly nine tonnes.
The air was thick with the aroma of tomatoes, peppers, onions, spices, and perfectly simmered rice. For hours, she stirred, checked, and balanced flavors, ensuring that despite the scale, the dish didn’t lose its magic. After nine grueling hours, the record was officially broken.
To put it in perspective:
- The previous record stood at 4,700 kilograms.
- Hilda nearly doubled it.
And the best part? The rice was not wasted. It was shared with the huge crowd that had gathered, turning the record attempt into a real community feast.
The Challenges Behind the Triumph
Cooking jollof for a few dozen people is one thing. Cooking for thousands, in one single pot, is an entirely different game.
At one point, the massive pot—so heavy it had to be lifted by crane—collapsed under its own weight during weighing, nearly jeopardizing the attempt. Gas lines, heat regulation, and seasoning balance were also hurdles the team had to carefully navigate.
But through determination and teamwork, Hilda pulled through. By the end, Guinness World Records certified the attempt, making her achievement official.
Why This Record Matters
To outsiders, it may look like “just rice.” But for Nigerians, and West Africans in general, jollof is culture. It’s rivalry (think Nigeria vs. Ghana), it’s heritage, and it’s pride on a plate.
By setting this record, Hilda Baci has:
- Put Nigerian cuisine once again on the global stage.
- Highlighted the creativity and resilience of young Africans.
- Created a moment of unity in a world often divided.
Her feat isn’t just about numbers; it’s about showing what’s possible when ambition meets preparation.
A Familiar Face in the Guinness Book
This isn’t Hilda Baci’s first dance with world records. In 2023, she became a household name after breaking the record for the longest cooking marathon (93 hours, 11 minutes). That achievement turned her into a national star, celebrated across Nigeria and beyond.
Although she later lost that title to Irish chef Alan Fisher, it didn’t dampen her spirit. Instead, it fueled her drive. With this new record, she has once again stamped her name in history—this time with a dish that resonates deeply with her people.
More Than Just Food
What happened in Lagos wasn’t only about a world record. It was about:
- Community: people came together, ate together, and celebrated together.
- Inspiration: young Nigerians watched someone chase—and achieve—a dream bigger than most would dare imagine.
- Heritage: a reminder that African cuisine has a place at the global table, and that place is only growing.
What’s Next for Hilda Baci?
If there’s one thing this record shows, it’s that Hilda isn’t afraid of pushing limits. From marathon cooking to cooking on a massive scale, she continues to redefine what’s possible in the kitchen.
Whether she aims for another culinary world record or leverages this moment to elevate Nigerian cuisine globally, one thing is clear: she has become more than a chef. She’s a cultural ambassador.
In Conclusion
On that historic day in Lagos, Hilda Baci did more than cook jollof—she cooked up pride, unity, and a story that will be told for years. The Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice now bears her name, but its significance belongs to all of us who understand that food is never just food.
It’s culture. It’s identity. And thanks to Hilda Baci, it’s also history.