Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has been recognised as a three-time Guinness World Record holder for the largest serving of rice. This announcement from Guinness World Records (GWR) came as a surprise to her. What started as a goal to celebrate Nigeria’s popular Jollof rice has turned into a remarkable achievement, making Baci the first female chef in Nigeria to hold multiple records.
Baci confirmed this through an email on Tuesday morning from Andrew Fanning, the Head of Client Partnering at GWR. The email stated that her September 2025 event had not only set the record for the “Largest Serving of Nigerian-Style Jollof Rice,” but it also broke the overall record for the “Largest Serving of Rice.”
This news is unusual for record-breakers. Normally, people apply for one title, prepare, and then attempt it. Baci, however, achieved two records with one event. “I woke up a three-time Guinness World Records holder and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” Baci said. “What I thought was one record turned out to be two.”
The details of her achievement are impressive. At the event, which was partnered with food brand Gino at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Baci and her team prepared a pot weighing 8,780 kilograms. To give perspective:
- It is heavier than four mid-sized SUVs.
- It contained over 4,000 kg of rice.
- It fed over 16,000 people in one day.
GWR reviewed the numbers and found that no other rice dish in history, whether fried rice, risotto, or pilaf, has ever been made in such a large quantity at a single event.
Baci’s third title strengthens her legacy and sets her apart from “one-hit wonders.” Many record holders achieve only one record before fading away. With three titles, Baci joins the ranks of “serial record breakers,” individuals who repeatedly achieve the impossible.
She is the first Nigerian woman to reach this milestone, joining young talent Chinonso Eche, known as “Amazing Kid Eche,” who holds five records in football freestyling. This shows that Nigerian excellence is shifting from short-lived moments to consistent recognition on the global stage.
Hilda Baci’s “Triple Crown” of records is:
- Longest Cooking Marathon (Individual): Achieved May 2023 (93 hours, 11 minutes). This record sparked the “Cook-a-thon” trend across Africa.
- Largest Serving of Nigerian-Style Jollof Rice: Achieved September 2025.
- Largest Serving of Rice: Confirmed January 2026.
Beyond the titles, Baci’s achievements showcase the power of promoting Nigerian culture. Her cooking marathon in 2023 caught global attention, while her recent records highlight the appreciation for Nigerian cuisine.
The partnership with Gino also signals a change in corporate support for historic events. Brands are moving beyond just sponsoring events to being part of historic moments. Their support for such a large project (the pot was engineered to be lifted by a crane) sets a new standard for marketing in West Africa.
Hilda Baci’s achievements show that to succeed in the attention-driven world, you must not only be good but also remarkable. While many aim for a place in the record books once, Hilda Baci has done it three times, unexpectedly.
