The organisers of the World Jollof Festival have announced that Nigerian chef Hilda Baci’s attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice will now take place at Eko Hotel Car Park B, Lagos, instead of Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, as earlier scheduled.

The festival, sponsored by Gino, was initially set for Friday at Muri Okunola Park. However, in a statement on Thursday, the company said the venue was changed to accommodate the large number of people who have registered to attend.

Oreoluwa Atinmo, Marketing Director of GBfoods Nigeria, explained that safety and comfort considerations influenced the decision.
“To accommodate this event safely and comfortably, we have moved the event to Eko Hotel Car Park B, a venue that truly reflects the scale and ambition of what we are about to achieve. This world record attempt is a celebration of Jollof, and it deserves a space that allows more people to share in the experience, enjoy the culture, and be part of an unforgettable moment in our history,” Atinmo said.

Beyond the Guinness World Record attempt, organisers said the festival will include food exhibitions, cultural showcases, live entertainment, and interactive experiences highlighting jollof rice as a symbol of identity, resilience, and community.

Hilda Baci welcomed the change, describing it as necessary to accommodate the interest the festival has attracted.
“The outpouring of love and support since we announced the attempt has been mind-blowing, with thousands of people already registered to be part of this historic celebration. That is why moving to Eko Hotel Car Park B is so important; it gives us the space to welcome everyone safely and create the unforgettable experience this moment deserves,” she said.

Baci disclosed that she plans to cook 250 bags of rice using a specially designed pot with a capacity of 22,619 litres, which will be filled to 80 per cent. She added that ingredients such as garlic, ginger, thyme, rosemary, and curry will be required to make the meal.

She further described the project as the outcome of two years of planning and said the pot designed for the attempt measures six metres in width, about 1.1 metres in height, and 1.3 metres in depth.

In June 2023, Guinness World Records recognised Baci as the record holder for the longest individual cooking marathon after she surpassed the 87 hours and 45 minutes previously held by Indian chef Lata Tondon.

Baci’s attempt lasted more than 100 hours, but a technical error reduced her final record. She was later displaced by Irish chef Alan Fisher, who set a new mark of 119 hours and 57 minutes.

The upcoming attempt at the World Jollof Festival will focus on a different Guinness World Record category: the world’s largest pot of jollof rice.