On a bustling Friday in Lagos, the aroma of spices and simmering tomatoes wafted across Victoria Island, drawing thousands of onlookers to witness a feat as grand as the city itself. Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci, already a household name for her marathon cooking exploits, had set out to do what no one else ever had: cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice. By the end of the day, Baci had not only achieved her goal but also secured a new Guinness World Record, bringing together a community and shining a spotlight on West African culinary pride.
According to Guinness World Records, Baci’s colossal pot tipped the scales at an astonishing 8,780 kilograms—far surpassing the minimum requirement of 4,700 kilograms for the record. The event, which took place on September 12, 2025, was a testament to both culinary ambition and logistical prowess. The dish itself, a beloved staple across West Africa, is more than just rice and pepper sauce; it’s a symbol of unity, celebration, and national identity. As Baci put it, “This moment isn’t just mine... it belongs to all of us.”
The day was not without its share of drama. After nine hours of continuous cooking, Baci’s team faced a nerve-wracking setback: the retrofitted, custom-made steel pot—capable of holding a staggering 23,000 liters—buckled under the weight as it was being hoisted onto a crane for weighing. Spectators gasped as the pot collapsed, but, remarkably, not a single grain of rice was lost. Baci later reflected, “It took nine hours of fire, passion, and teamwork.” Her words, reported by AP and BBC, captured the spirit of the event: a blend of determination, skill, and communal effort.
The recipe for this record-breaking jollof rice was as impressive as its scale. Baci and her team—ten chefs in matching red uniforms—stirred together 4,000 kilograms of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600 kilograms of onions, and 168 kilograms of goat meat. The ingredients, sourced in partnership with food manufacturer Gino Nigeria, filled the massive pot to its brim. As reported by UPI, the final dish was served on 16,600 plates and distributed to the thousands who had gathered to witness history in the making.
Planning for the event was no small task. Baci told BBC Pidgin that it took her an entire year to orchestrate the challenge. The pot’s construction alone required a team of 300 people working for two months. “We [Nigerians] are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for,” she explained. “It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice, it would be nice for the country.”
Jollof rice, with its vibrant red hue and smoky undertones, is more than just a dish in Nigeria—it’s a cultural touchstone. Its popularity stretches across borders, from Senegal to Ghana, each country boasting its own twist on the classic recipe. But for Nigerians, jollof rice is a matter of pride, and Baci’s achievement was seen by many as a national victory. “This Guinness World Record was built on unity, love, and collective strength,” Baci wrote on social media. “We made history together, for Nigeria, for Africa, and for everyone who believes in the power of food to bring us closer—this win is yours too.”
Baci is no stranger to breaking boundaries. In 2023, she captured international headlines by setting the then-record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking in at an exhausting 93 hours and 11 minutes. That record was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher in 2024, and, according to BBC, the current titleholder is Australia’s Evette Quoibia, with a marathon of 140 hours and 11 minutes. Still, Baci’s endurance and creativity have inspired a wave of record attempts across West Africa, from the longest book reading to the longest skipping rope session and even the longest speech.
The Guinness World Records team confirmed Baci’s latest triumph on their official X account, noting that she had “surpassed the required 4,700 kilograms of rice.” The recognition was the culmination of meticulous evidence gathering, as Baci’s team collected footage from multiple cameras to document every moment for official validation. The crowd, a sea of eager faces, cheered as the mountain of rice was portioned out and handed to onlookers and passersby—no small feat in itself.
The event was as much a celebration as it was a culinary challenge. The crowd included families, food enthusiasts, and local dignitaries, all eager to be part of a moment that would go down in both culinary and national history. The festive atmosphere was punctuated by music, laughter, and the rhythmic clatter of wooden spoons against steel. For many, the chance to taste a piece of the record-breaking dish was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Baci’s accomplishment has reverberated far beyond Lagos. It has sparked renewed interest in Nigerian cuisine and inspired young Africans to pursue their own dreams of global recognition. According to AP, Baci’s previous marathon cooking challenge “sparked off numerous attempts at Guinness World Records recognition as many young West Africans tapped into the desire for global acclaim.” The ripple effect continues, as more and more individuals set out to make their mark on the world stage.
For Baci, the achievement is deeply personal but also profoundly communal. “This achievement also belongs to the people of Nigeria as they all contributed to the achievement,” she told Guinness World Records. Her words echo the sentiment that has defined her journey: food is a bridge, connecting people, cultures, and aspirations.
As the sun set over Victoria Island, the last of the jollof rice was handed out, and the crowd slowly dispersed, there was a sense that something extraordinary had taken place. Hilda Baci had not only broken a world record—she had united a nation, celebrated a beloved tradition, and reminded the world of the power of food to inspire, uplift, and bring people together.