Hilda Baci is at it again with another Guinness World Record attempt, and this time, it’s MASSIVE. Literally. The celebrity chef is attempting to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, in front of thousands of excited spectators. With a pot weighing over 1400 kg built to hold a staggering 22,619 litres and 250 bags of rice on standby. This is the first-ever attempt of its kind, so it’s undeniably history in the making.
Why Jollof, Why Now?
For Nigerians, jollof rice is seen as a cultural symbol, a weekend staple, and the centrepiece of family parties. For years, it has also been the subject of the fiercest culinary debate in West Africa; the legendary Jollof Wars between Nigeria and Ghana. By aiming for the world’s largest pot, Baci is ultimately planting the Nigerian flag in the middle of that global food fight.
And she’s doing it at a time when food culture is exploding online. From mukbang videos to global street food festivals, the world has never been more interested in food as entertainment. A record attempt like this gives Nigerian cuisine a chance to shine on that stage.
Lagos Turns Out for Jollof
Over 20,000 people registered to attend, and Eko Hotel is buzzing with energy. The pot itself is a sight to behold, towering over the crowd at more than six metres wide, designed specifically for this record attempt. Organisers had to conduct test runs to figure out how to heat such a monster evenly, how to stir it without burning, and how to keep hygiene standards intact. Hilda herself was seen scrubbing and cleaning the pot before the cooking began, underscoring the emphasis on hygiene and preparation.
Spectators didn’t come all the way just to watch for fun; there’s pride on the line. In a city where food is identity, Lagosians see this as a chance to tell the world: “This is our jollof, and nobody does it better.”
The Challenges of Cooking at Scale
Cooking one pot of rice at home is simple enough. Cooking 22,000 litres of rice? That’s another story.
Heat distribution: ensuring that the rice cooks evenly without burning at the bottom.
Stirring logistics: the pot is so large that manpower and special tools are required just to mix it.
Verification rules: Guinness World Records has strict requirements for measurement, documentation, and serving, meaning everything must be weighed, recorded, and verified in real time.
Crowd control: with thousands of people waiting to taste the rice, organisers also have to prevent chaos when it’s finally served.
Failure in any of these areas could derail the record attempt. That’s why Baci has a team of chefs, organisers, and sponsors (including food brand Gino) working around the clock.
From Lost Title to New Territory
Back in May 2023, Hilda Baci became a household name after her legendary cook-a-thon in Lagos. She cooked nonstop for 93 hours and 11 minutes, officially breaking the Guinness World Record. It was a cultural moment, with Nigerians at home and abroad glued to their screens, rooting for her every stir and chop.
But records don’t stay forever. By November that same year, Irish chef Alan Fisher snatched the crown with a 119-hour cooking marathon, ending Hilda’s reign sooner than anyone expected. For many Nigerians, it stung. The pride, the noise and the glory suddenly dimmed.
Yet Hilda isn’t one to step back quietly. Instead, she’s coming back even louder, this time with a pot so massive it could feed a small town. By attempting the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, she’s shifting the battleground to something that feels deeply, undeniably Nigerian. As she has chosen a dish which is a local staple, she’s etching Nigeria’s name into a category no one can easily take away.
More Than Just Rice
If Baci pulls this off, it won’t only be about bragging rights. This attempt represents something larger: the audacity of Nigerian youth. It shows how ambition, planning, and cultural pride can turn a local dish into a global headline. Just like her cook-a-thon that made international waves, this jollof record could once again put Nigerian cuisine on the map.
For Nigeria as a whole, the opportunity is clear. Events like this highlight how food can drive tourism and cultural export. Imagine Lagos marketed as the home of “food records” or West African culinary festivals attracting global visitors.
A Lesson in Ambition
Watching Hilda Baci today, young Nigerians see proof that Guinness World Records are not just for Olympians or billionaires. They can be broken with creativity, community, and cultural pride. Whether you’re a chef, a writer, or a tech innovator, the principle is the same: the world is watching, and audacious dreams can turn into reality.
By the end of today, Lagos may become the home of the world’s largest jollof pot. But beyond the Guinness stamp, this attempt is already a victory for Nigerian identity and food culture. Baci has once again taken something familiar and turned it into history.
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