Nigerian celebrity chef and culinary star Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, is gearing up for another groundbreaking feat, cooking the world’s largest pot of jollof rice at the Gino World Jollof Festival in Lagos.
The high-profile festival is expected to draw over 20,000 people, marking one of the biggest culinary gatherings in Nigeria this year.
Event Details
- Date: September 12, 2025
- Venue: Initially set for Muri Okunola Park, the event has been relocated to Eko Hotel Car Park B, Victoria Island to accommodate the expected crowd.
- Festival Name: Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci
- Entry: Free and open to the public
Inside the Record Attempt
To secure the Guinness World Record, Hilda Baci will cook in a custom-built pot measuring six metres wide and six metres high, designed to hold 22,619 litres.
- Rice: About 5,278 kg of basmati rice (≈264 bags), with Baci confirming she will use 250 bags.
- Tomato Base: 1,583 kg of tomato paste and Gino’s range of tomato and jollof sauces.
- Goal: The pot will be filled to 75–80% capacity, producing a jollof rice meal large enough to serve thousands.
📖 Full breakdown of the logistics available on First Daily.
Why This Matters
This challenge is more than just cooking. It is a celebration of Nigerian cuisine, a statement of cultural pride, and an opportunity to showcase jollof rice as a global culinary icon.
Guinness World Records requires strict compliance for validation, including:
- Verification of the pot’s capacity
- Documentation of all ingredients
- Independent witnesses
- Proof that the food is safely distributed to avoid waste
Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record Journey
- In May 2023, Hilda Baci earned global attention after cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes, setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon.
- Although the record has since been surpassed, she remains an influential figure in Nigeria’s culinary space.
- With this new attempt, Baci is pivoting from endurance to scale, community, and cultural impact.
Festival Highlights
According to Telegraph Nigeria:
- Over 20,000 attendees are expected.
- The event will feature live entertainment, food exhibitions, and cultural showcases.
- The Guinness World Record attempt will be the centerpiece of the celebration.
On September 12, 2025, all eyes will turn to Lagos as Hilda Baci attempts to inscribe Nigeria once again in the Guinness World Records by cooking the world’s largest pot of jollof rice. Whether or not the record is certified, the event is already a monumental celebration of food, culture, and national pride.
