BREAKING: Guinness World Records officially confirms Hilda Baci’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof

Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has officially entered the Guinness World Records again this time for preparing the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilogrammes (19,356 lb 9 oz).

The culinary feat, achieved in partnership with food brand Gino, took place on Victoria Island, Lagos, and was confirmed on Monday by Guinness World Records. Announcing the milestone on X (formerly Twitter), the organisation wrote:

“New record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice  8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.”

Guinness World Records had earlier cheered Baci on, reposting a video from the Friday event with the caption: “What’s cookin’? Best of luck to @hildabacicooks who’s attempting a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice today.”

Baci, who first captured global attention in 2023 after breaking the record for the longest individual cooking marathon, began her latest challenge at Lagos’ Eko Hotel and Suites. The spectacle drew a festive crowd of supporters, celebrities, and food enthusiasts.

Before the event, she revealed that the custom-made pot used for the attempt could hold 22,619 litres, and her goal was to fill it to about 80 percent. Initially planning to use roughly 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice about 264 bags she later scaled down to 200 bags because the weighing equipment could only accommodate a total of 20,000 kilogrammes, including the pot itself.

“The goal was that by the time I was done making 5,000 kilogrammes, I was hoping to achieve about 17,000 to 18,000 kilogrammes. Right now, if I include the weight of the pot, that’s about 20,000,” she explained.

The celebration had a carnival atmosphere, complete with music, dancing, and appearances from prominent figures.

Nollywood star Funke Akindele joined Baci at the cooking station, while Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady of Ogun State, was also present to show support. Other notable attendees included dancer Kaffy, media personality Enioluwa, and singer Spyro, among many others.

Baci’s 2023 cook-a-thon, during which she cooked for more than 93 hours, turned her into a national sensation and inspired many young Nigerians especially women to explore the culinary world. Her latest achievement reinforces her status as one of the country’s most celebrated chefs.