Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has once again made culinary history by securing a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, cooked and served in Lagos on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The feat, officially confirmed by Guinness World Records (GWR) on Monday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), saw Hilda prepare an astounding 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz) of jollof rice in partnership with Gino Nigeria.
“New record: Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice – 8,780 kg achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria 🇳🇬,” the GWR post read.
Real name Hilda Bassey, the chef and food entrepreneur led a massive cooking operation at an event held on Victoria Island, which drew thousands of spectators and food lovers. The record-setting event featured live entertainment, and the crowd watched in awe as Hilda and her team worked tirelessly over nine hours to bring the iconic West African dish to life.
This achievement marks Hilda Baci’s second Guinness World Record, coming just months after her previous feat of the longest cooking marathon.
Speaking after the event, Hilda said:
“I didn’t realize it would be this hard and it has been a challenge. It’s a lot of hard work but really satisfying to achieve the record. This achievement also belongs to the people of Nigeria as they all contributed to the achievement.”
The event wasn’t just about breaking a record—it was a cultural statement. Jollof rice, a staple across West Africa, has long been at the heart of the playful but fierce “Jollof Wars” between Nigeria and Ghana. Hilda’s massive cook-up was her way of proudly staking a claim for Nigeria in the ongoing culinary rivalry.
She used 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice, 164 kg of fresh goat meat, 220 kg of Gino Asun & peppered chicken cubes, and 600 kg of pepper mix to create the dish. A total of 1,200 kg of gas fueled the effort, which yielded approximately 16,600 plates of jollof rice, all served under strict guidelines to ensure no food went to waste.
Guinness World Records set stringent criteria for the attempt, including ingredient verification, weight documentation, hygiene protocols, and zero food wastage. Hilda’s team adhered to all conditions, successfully distributing the food to event attendees and local charities.
