Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has made history again after Guinness World Records officially confirmed her achievement of the largest serving of jollof rice. The dish, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilogrammes (19,356 lb 9 oz), was prepared in collaboration with food brand Gino on Friday at Victoria Island, Lagos, and verified on Monday.
The global record body announced the news on its official X account, formerly known as Twitter, posting: “New record: Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice – 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz) achieved by Hilda Baci and Gino in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.” The confirmation immediately sparked celebrations across social media, where fans and admirers hailed Baci for once again putting Nigerian cuisine in the international spotlight.
Baci first rose to worldwide fame during her cook-a-thon in 2023, which earned her a Guinness World Record and cemented her status as one of Africa’s most recognized chefs. This latest feat further elevates her profile and highlights jollof rice, a dish deeply woven into West African culture. Ahead of the event, Guinness World Records had sent her words of encouragement in a short video, wishing her the best as she attempted the ambitious challenge.
To make the record-breaking dish possible, a custom-designed pot with a capacity of 22,619 litres was built. Baci explained before the event that her original target was to cook with about 5,278 kilogrammes of basmati rice, equal to 264 bags, but she later scaled down to 250 bags for practical reasons. On the final day, she ended up cooking with 200 bags because the measuring crane and scale could only accommodate a maximum of 20,000 kilogrammes, including the weight of the giant pot itself.
Speaking to journalists, she revealed that even with the reduction, the effort still produced 4,000 kilogrammes of rice, which was enough to feed 20,000 people. She added that her initial projection was to hit around 17,000 to 18,000 kilogrammes after cooking 5,000 kilogrammes, but the scale’s limitations meant she had to adjust her approach.
The record attempt quickly transformed into a carnival-like celebration. Thousands of food lovers, supporters, and well-wishers filled the venue, creating an atmosphere of excitement with music, dance, and cheers. Nollywood actress Funke Akindele thrilled the crowd when she joined Baci at the cooking spot, commending her determination before helping stir the tomato base for the rice. The First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, was also present to show her support.
The occasion attracted several other high-profile personalities, including dancer Kaffy, Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa, Peller, Veekee James, Femi Atere, Tacha, Papaya, Samuel Banks, Alex Unusual, Folagbade Banks, and music star Spyro, who all joined in the celebration.
For many Nigerians, the success of the event was not just about setting a new world record but also about showcasing the richness of Nigerian food and culture to the world. Hilda Baci’s accomplishment is being hailed as a moment of national pride, proving that Nigerian cuisine is more than just a meal—it is a cultural identity and a global experience.