Lagos came alive on Saturday as chef Hilda Baci achieved a culinary milestone, cooking the world’s largest pot of jollof rice in a Guinness World Record bid.
The colourful event, tagged the Gino World Jollof Festival, took place at Car Park B of Eko Hotel and Suites and drew thousands of fans, food lovers, entertainers, and vendors.
The 28-year-old chef, already famous for her record-breaking cook-a-thon in 2023, prepared the dish in a specially designed 22,619-litre pot that stood six metres wide and six metres tall.
She worked tirelessly for nine hours, using 200 bags of rice—slightly fewer than the 250 bags initially planned, citing weighing challenges.
But in a dramatic twist, the giant pot collapsed late Friday night while being lifted onto a scale for verification.
A crane had been deployed to raise it, but the container gave way under its own weight, sending shockwaves through the cheering crowd. Staff rushed to secure the scene, and no injuries were reported. Videos of the incident quickly went viral online.
Despite the setback, Baci’s team remained upbeat, insisting the attempt would still qualify once Guinness officials complete their review. “Safety was our priority, and the record attempt will proceed for certification,” a representative assured.
The monumental dish was eventually served to over 30,000 people in takeaway packs, with organisers encouraging guests to bring their own coolers as food remained in surplus.
READ ALSO: Jollof eaters await Hilda Baci’s record-breaking delicacy
In a heartwarming moment, students of Bethesda Home and School for the Blind also joined the celebration, underscoring the festival’s inclusive spirit.
The event attracted prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry, including Funke Akindele, Bamike Olawunmi-Adenibuyan, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Tomike Adeoye, and musician Falz, all of whom cheered Baci on as she stirred the steaming mountain of rice.
Akwa Ibom State’s First Lady, Helen Eno Obareki, also lent her voice to the celebration. In a statement on Facebook, she described Hilda as phenomenal, praising her resilience, innovation, and inspiration to young people across the country.
“I extend my heartfelt felicitations to the phenomenal Hilda Baci over her audacious attempt to set yet another Guinness World Record, by cooking ‘the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice,’” she wrote.
Reflecting on Hilda’s 2023 cook-a-thon, Helen said the chef has remained “an embodiment of the true Akwa Ibom ‘can do’ spirit,” adding that her latest feat further expands Nigeria’s global culinary presence.
“I celebrate excellence and hard work, hoping that this journey propels you to break boundaries, birth new ideas and communities, as well as motivate more young people, especially girls and women, to eliminate the word ‘impossible’ and shatter stereotypes in living their dreams. We celebrate you today and always, Hilda,” she added.
The Federal Government also hailed the feat. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, lauded Baci’s achievement as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence,” stressing that her creativity would inspire young Nigerians to pursue innovation that promotes national growth and international recognition.
While Guinness World Records’ official confirmation is pending, many already see Baci’s accomplishment as historic. Beyond the numbers, she has once again spotlighted Nigerian cuisine on the global stage, proving that food can unite, inspire, and showcase a nation’s cultural pride.
Crediblenewsng.com
