Nigerian chef Hilda Baci made history by setting the world record for cooking the largest pot of jollof rice. This impressive feat took place in Lagos last week, marking a major milestone for Nigerian cuisine.
Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed the achievement on social media. Baci’s jollof rice dish weighed a staggering 8,780kg. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. After nine hours of cooking, the giant pot broke as the team hoisted it onto a crane for weighing. Thankfully, no rice spilled during the incident.
Baci celebrated the triumph on social media and thanked her supporters. “This moment isn’t just mine… it belongs to all of us,” she said. Although the pot buckled twice during the weigh-in, Baci’s team quickly gathered evidence from different cameras to send to GWR, ensuring the achievement was officially recognized.
Baci paid tribute to her “tireless team” and shared a video of her emotional reaction when she received the news. “This Guinness World Record was built on unity, love, and collective strength,” she wrote. “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.”
To create the record-breaking dish, Baci used 4,000kg of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600kg of onions, and 168kg of goat meat. She cooked these ingredients in a custom-made pot capable of holding 23,000 liters of food. Afterward, the dish was distributed to the cheering crowd.
In 2023, Baci set another world record by completing the longest cooking marathon, lasting nearly four days. This effort made her a culinary sensation. Her latest record attempt attracted thousands of supporters, who witnessed her culinary achievement.
Reflecting on her accomplishment, Baci said, “We [Nigerians] are the giants of Africa, and jollof rice is a dish that everyone knows us for. It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice. It would be nice for the country.”
The team of 300 people spent two months manufacturing the giant steel pot. One of its legs gave way at a critical moment, nearly ruining the record attempt. Despite this, the team successfully served the giant dish to the delighted crowd.
Jollof rice, a staple in several West African countries, combines rice and tomato sauce, often paired with meat or seafood. This achievement highlights the cultural importance of the dish across Africa.
In 2021, Baci won a national competition for her version of jollof rice. She became even more famous in 2023 when she broke the record for the longest cooking marathon. Alan Fisher, an Irish chef, later surpassed her with his own marathon. Currently, the world record for the longest cooking marathon belongs to Evette Quoibia from Australia, who completed 140 hours and 11 minutes, according to GWR.
