Hilda Baci Sets Guinness Record with Largest Pot of Jollof Rice in Lagos
Lagos, Nigeria – Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has completed her Guinness World Record attempt for the largest pot of jollof rice, drawing a massive crowd at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Akwa Ibom–born culinary star cooked the dish using 4,000 kilograms of basmati rice, 500 cartons of tomato concentrate, 750 kilograms of oil, and 600 kilograms of onions, all in a specially designed six-metre-wide steel pot.
Originally set to cook 250 bags of rice, Baci explained she reduced the number to 200 bags to avoid exceeding the 20,000-kilogram capacity of the measuring equipment.
Ten assistants in red uniforms helped stir the enormous pot with giant wooden paddles, while DJs and live performances kept the crowd entertained throughout the Gino World Jollof Festival.
The event attracted dignitaries and celebrities, including Ogun State First Lady Bamidele Abiodun, actress Funke Akindele, and Afrobeats singer Spyro.
Funke Akindele praised Baci’s courage, urging women to chase big dreams: “You can look beautiful, but you must hustle and do something special for yourself.”
The Federal Government also lauded the feat, with Information Minister Mohammed Idris calling it “another example of Nigeria’s excellence on the global stage.”
An emotional Baci shed tears of joy as she read online messages of encouragement, thanking Nigerians for their overwhelming support.
