Celebrated Chef
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Popular Nigerian celebrity chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci has once again captured global attention, officially becoming a three-time Guinness World Records holder.
The acclaimed cook recently announced that her remarkable achievement in preparing the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice has also been recognized as the largest serving of rice overall, adding two titles from the same event.
Hilda, already celebrated for her previous cook-a-thon marathon and the specific jollof rice record set in September 2025 where she and her team, in collaboration with Gino Nigeria, prepared 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) of the iconic dish in Lagos—received the surprise confirmation early in 2026.
The Guinness World Records team conducted a review of the record guidelines and determined that the massive rice-based preparation met the criteria for the broader “largest serving of rice” category as well.The official confirmation came via an email from Andrew Fanning, Head of Client Partnering – Records Creative Team at Guinness World Records.
The message read:
“Congratulations, you are Officially Amazing (again)!Hello Hilda,I hope you’re well!It has come to our attention when comparing record guidelines of the two record titles that when you and your team attempted and achieved ‘Largest serving of Nigerian style jollof rice’ you also achieved the record title of ‘Largest serving of rice’ so you have been proactively awarded this record title too.
Many congratulations from me on behalf of Guinness World Records, you are Officially Amazing (again)!
All the best,DrewAndrew Fanning
Head of Client Partnering – Records Creative Team”
Hilda shared her astonishment and joy on social media, noting that what she initially viewed as one record turned out to be two from the same effort, bringing her total to three Guinness World Records. She expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, the support from her team and fans, and the opportunity to showcase Nigerian cuisine on the world stage.
This milestone not only highlights Hilda’s culinary prowess, dedication, and innovation but also elevates Nigerian food culture globally. Social media has been abuzz with congratulations from fans, celebrities, and fellow chefs, who hail it as a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa in promoting heritage through creativity and excellence.
As Hilda Baci continues to inspire with her passion and boundary-pushing achievements, the culinary world eagerly anticipates her next endeavor.
HILDA BACI BIOGRAPHY
Hilda Baci, born Hilda Effiong Bassey on September 20, 1995, in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, is a renowned Nigerian chef, restaurateur, television personality, actor, and social media influencer. She is proudly from the Ibibio ethnic group in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
At the age of five, she relocated to Abuja with her family, where she began assisting her mother in running a restaurant. She later earned a degree in sociology from Madonna University in Nigeria before fully pursuing her passion for culinary arts.
FAMILY BACKGROUND
Hilda was primarily raised by her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, who is also a chef and served as a major inspiration for her culinary journey.
Her father is Effiong Bassey Edem. She grew up as the second of several children, with siblings including Gilbert (a Madonna University graduate), Flavio, a younger brother, and reportedly triplet siblings who are significantly younger (around 22 years her junior in some accounts). Family played a key role in her early exposure to food and hospitality, though she has mentioned challenges in her relationship with her father.
CAREER
Hilda’s career took off after she transitioned from sociology to cooking, influenced by her mother’s restaurant work.
She gained prominence through social media under brands like “My Food by Hilda,” which boasts millions of followers across Instagram and other platforms. She runs a popular restaurant in Lagos, offers cookery classes (having trained thousands of students), provides private chef services, and shares recipes and lifestyle content on YouTube.
In 2020, she hosted the television show Dine on a Budget. She also won the Jollof Faceoff competition in 2021, representing Nigeria against Ghana.
Her rise as a culinary influencer has made her one of Africa’s most visible chefs, blending entrepreneurship, media, and education in the food industry.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS
Hilda is a multi-time Guinness World Records holder, celebrated for her groundbreaking culinary feats: In May 2023, she set the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual) with 93 hours and 11 minutes of continuous cooking, earning widespread acclaim and sparking a wave of cookathons across Africa (though later surpassed by others).
In September 2025, in collaboration with Gino Nigeria, she achieved the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice by preparing 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) of the dish in a custom giant pot over nine hours, yielding around 16,600 plates. This feat highlighted Nigerian cuisine globally.
Subsequently, Guinness World Records proactively awarded her an additional title from the same event: the largest serving of rice overall, as the jollof preparation met the broader category criteria. This made her a three-time record holder from these efforts.
The jollof record confirmation came via an official email from Andrew Fanning of Guinness World Records, stating she was “Officially Amazing (again)” for the dual achievement.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Beyond her records, Hilda has received accolades such as The Future Awards Africa Young Person of the Year in 2023. She has elevated Nigerian food culture internationally, promoted resilience and creativity through her work, and inspired countless aspiring chefs via training programs.
Her events, like the massive jollof cook, have fostered community, joy, and cultural pride, drawing global media attention from outlets like BBC and Smithsonian.
GOALS AND FUTURE PLANS
Hilda continues to focus on growth, education, and expansion in the culinary space. She aims to nurture young talent in Nigeria through expanded training initiatives and opportunities.
Looking ahead in 2026 and beyond, she emphasizes inward development, building her brand, forming partnerships, and pushing boundaries in the food industry—whether through new challenges, collaborations, or elevating African cuisine further on the world stage.
Her journey reflects a commitment to passion, persistence, and putting Nigeria “on the map” through food.
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