Cheers rang out on Saturday morning at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as celebrity chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, completed her attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.

The record bid drew a large turnout of food lovers, celebrities and influencers, who gathered to watch her finish the giant pot of steaming jollof.

Before the cooking began, Baci rolled up her sleeves to wash the massive red pot and assured fans that the process would be handled with care.

“Yes, I can officially confirm this pot is squeaky clean. I washed it myself,” she said.

She also told journalists that she used accurate measurements to preserve the taste and quality of the dish.

“To keep the authenticity of the jollof rice, I applied some mathematics, and we will still watch it while it is cooking to make sure that everything is right,” she said.

Moments before lighting the burners, she prayed with the Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, who asked for strength and success on her behalf.

As the cooking continued through Friday night into the early hours of Saturday, the crowd clapped, sang and danced while waiting to taste the record-breaking meal.

Among the personalities present were fashion designer Veekee James, content creators Tomike Adeoye and Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and filmmaker Funke Akindele, who excited the audience with lively dance moves.

Musician Oludipe David, popularly known as Spyro, also performed some of his hit songs to entertain the guests.

Even Guinness World Records showed support on social media, commenting on her post, “Best of luck, Hilda and team!”

Baci became a global sensation in 2023 after setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, clocking 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lagos.
She has now completed her latest bid for the world’s largest pot of jollof rice and is awaiting official confirmation from Guinness World Records.