Hilda Baci

Last updated
Hilda Baci
Born
Hilda Effiong Bassey

(1995-09-20) September 20, 1995 (age 30)
Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
OccupationChef
Known forformer Guinness World Records holder for World's Longest Cooking Marathon
MotherLynda Ndukwe [1]

Hilda Effiong Bassey (born 20 September 1995), known as Hilda Baci, is a Nigerian chef, restaurateur, actress, and a two-time Guinness World Record winner. She previously held the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking (cook-athon) with 93 hours 11 minutes in May 2023. Later that year, Irish chef Alan Fisher surpassed the record with 119 hours, 57 minutes. [2] [3] In August 2021, she won the Jollof Faceoff competition. [4] In September 2025, Guinness World Records confirmed her feat for cooking the largest quantity of Jollof rice at once, breaking another world record in conjunction with Gino. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Early life and career

Hilda Effiong Bassey was born on 20 September 1995, and she is from the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. [8] At the age of five, she moved to Abuja with her family and assisted her mother in running a restaurant opposite the Ministry of Defence office after school. [9] She graduated with a degree in sociology from Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State. [10] She was the host of Dine on a Budget, a television show that airs on Pop Central TV. [11]

Baci embarked on a culinary education program, drawing inspiration from her mother, a culinary chef. [12]

Guinness World Record

In March 2023, Baci announced she would be attempting the record for the longest cooking marathon. [13] The record was previously held by Lata Tondon [14] whose cooking marathon lasted for 87 hours, 45 minutes in 2019. [15] [16]

On 11 May 2023, she started her " Cook-a-thon " record attempt. [17] [18] She broke the record on 15 May 2023. [19] On Monday, May 15, 2023, at exactly 7:45 am, Hilda broke the record for the longest cooking marathon by any individual hitting 87 hours 50 minutes above the previous record holder in 2019. [20] On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Guinness World Records spokesperson released an official statement on its website saying: "We are aware of the record attempt and are looking forward to receiving the evidence for our Records Management Team to review before we can confirm the record is official." [21]

To set a new record for the longest cooking marathon, Hilda was originally set to cook for 96 hours but later extended her goal to a 100-hour cooking marathon. [22] [23] [24] High-profile Nigerians who visited Hilda include Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Lead Pastor of Harvester International, Bolaji Idowu, Nigerian award-winning singer, Tiwa Savage, Tim Godfrey, Ice Prince. [25] [26] Then-Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, also called to cheer Hilda up during the cook-a-thon. [27] Hilda received a huge support fan base from Nigerians who trooped to the venue of the cooking competition, while others kept trending her name on Social Media. [28] After review of videos and evidence, Guinness World Records confirmed that Baci had broken the record longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes. [3] [29] [30] [31] Her record reportedly sparked a wave of endurance record attempts across Nigeria. [32]

In November 2023, Hilda Baci lost her Guinness World Record title for the longest cooking marathon by an individual to Alan Fisher, an Irish chef. [33] [34] Fisher cooked for 119 hours and 57 minutes, surpassing Baci's previous record by more than 24 hours. [35] Fisher also broke the record for the longest baking marathon (individual) with 47 hours and 21 minutes. [36] Baci congratulated Fisher on his achievement and said she was proud of him for breaking her record. [37]

On 12 September 2025, Baci achieved another Guinness World Record [38] during the World Jollof Festival in Lagos, Nigeria. She prepared asun jollof rice over a nine-hour period, producing 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz) of the dish. Guinness World Records confirmed the feat as the largest quantity of jollof rice cooked at once, recognising Baci's achievement later that month [39] [40]

Filmography

YearMovieRole
2020Dreamchaser [41] Rihanna
2021A Walk on Water [42] Annie
2023Mr & Mrs Robert [43] Hilda

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef
2023 The Future Awards Africa Young Person of the YearHerselfWon [44]

References

  1. ↑ "Chef Hilda Baci biography, age, real name, cookathon, husband, Guinness record". Kemi Filani.
  2. ↑ Princewill, Nimi; Busari, Stephanie (7 November 2023). "Irish chef unseats Nigeria's Hilda Baci as record-holder for longest cooking marathon". CNN. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 Atwal, Sanj (13 June 2023). "Hilda Baci awarded record for world's longest cooking marathon". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Hilda Baci: Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Cook-a-Thon". 9ja Business Hub - Super Business & Finance Blog For Champs. 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  5. ↑ Abulude, Samuel (2025-09-14). "How Hilda Baci Made History Cooking Jollof Rice With Largest Pot In 9 Hours" . Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  6. ↑ "Guinness World Records Recognises Hilda Baci for World's Largest Jollof Rice Serving". Nigeria Info, Let's Talk!. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  7. ↑ Oluchi, Chilaka (2025-09-15). "BREAKING: Hilda Baci awarded Guinness World Record for largest pot of Jollof rice". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  8. ↑ Legend, Sola (2023-05-15). "20 Things to Know about Hilda Baci and Her Guinness World Record Marathon Cooking #hildabacicookathon". DripNaija. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  9. ↑ "Hilda Baci: Nigeria's jollof champion and record-breaking chef". www.bbc.com. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
  10. ↑ Ibeh, Royal (2023-04-22). "Hilda Baci: Inspiring Women To Follow Their Dreams". Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  11. ↑ "4-day non-stop cooking, 9 other things to know about Hilda Baci and cookathon". Carmart. 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  12. ↑ "Chef Hilda Baci Biography: 2023 Net Worth, Age, Guinness World Record, Husband, Boyfriend, Cookathon Live Stream, More". 2023-05-16. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
  13. ↑ "Firm Plans Longest Cooking Marathon to Break World Record – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  14. ↑ Sharma, Vikram (20 December 2021). "Chef Lata Tondon | Guinness World Record | First Woman Record Holder". The Global Indian. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  15. ↑ "Rewa woman on way to cooking up a record". The Times of India. 2019-09-07. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  16. ↑ "Longest cooking marathon (individual)". Guinness World Records. Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  17. ↑ "Nigerian chef Hilda Baci goes after world record for longest cooking marathon". TheCable Lifestyle. 2023-04-20. Archived from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  18. ↑ Ajayi, Adebola (2023-05-14). "Sanwo-Olu visits Hilda Baci as chef attempts world's longest cooking time record". Peoples Gazette. Archived from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  19. ↑ Taiwo, Efosa (15 May 2023). "Breaking: Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci breaks Guinness World Record for 'longest cooking time'". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  20. ↑ Idowu, Abdullahi (15 May 2023). "Cook-a-thon: Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci, sets new Guinness World Record for 'marathon cooking'". Punch. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  21. ↑ "Nigerian chef Hilda Baci bids for longest cooking marathon with 100-hour kitchen stint". Guinness World Records. 16 May 2023. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  22. ↑ Nsikak, Nseyen (15 May 2023). "Nigeria's Hilda Baci breaks Guinness world record for longest cooking time". Dailypost.
  23. ↑ Ayodele, Racheal (2023-05-15). "Guinness World Record: Hilda Baci extends cooking record to 100 hrs". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  24. ↑ Ugo, Chima (2023-05-15). "Nigerian chef Hilda Baci breaks world record with 100-hour cookathon". Prime 9ja Online . Edo State, Nigeria: Prime 9ja Online Media. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  25. ↑ Adelagun, Oluwakemi (2023-05-14). "PHOTOS: Sanwo-Olu visits as Hilda Baci attempts Guinness World Record for longest cook-a-thon". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  26. ↑ "tiwa savage visits hilda baci". Bing. Archived from the original on 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  27. ↑ Owolawi, Taiwo (2023-05-15). "Hilda Baci: Tinubu, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, others who showed chef support". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Archived from the original on 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  28. ↑ Aromolaran, Michael (2023-05-17). "Hilda Baci Completes Her Cookathon At 100 Hours 40 Minutes For The Guinness World Record". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Archived from the original on 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  29. ↑ Kalu, Esther (2023-06-12). "Hilda Baci: Woli Arole, Ekiti chef, other Nigerians embark on Guinness World Record attempt spree". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  30. ↑ "Hilda Baci certified as world record holder for longest cooking marathon". TheCable. 2023-06-13. Archived from the original on 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  31. ↑ "Guinness World Record: Hilda Baci declared world record holder for longest cooking marathon". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-06-13. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  32. ↑ "How Guinness World Record mania has gripped Nigeria". 15 July 2023. Retrieved 2025-09-28– via www.bbc.com.
  33. ↑ Johnson, Chris (2023-11-07). "Irish Chef, Alan Fisher breaks Nigerian Hilda Baci's cookathon Guinness World Record". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  34. ↑ "Irish Chef, Alan Fisher Overtakes Nigeria's Hilda Baci, Emerges Guinness World Records' Longest Cooking Winner | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  35. ↑ "Irish chef Alan Fisher dethrones Hilda Baci as he breaks Guinness World Records with 119 hours of cooking | Intel Region". 2023-11-07. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  36. ↑ Adeshina, Michael (7 November 2023). "Irish chef dethrones Hilda Baci, breaks 2 cooking-related Guinness World Records". PM News.
  37. ↑ Johnson, Hannah (2023-11-07). "Hilda Baci congratulates Irish chef, Alan Fisher, over world record". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  38. ↑ Vicki, Newman (15 September 2025). "Did Hilda Baci just win the "Jollof Wars" for Nigeria? Chef cooks up largest ever serving". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  39. ↑ Sanusi, Deborah (2025-08-22). "Hilda Baci targets new record, set to cook largest pot of Jollof rice Sept 12". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  40. ↑ Abulude, Samuel (2025-09-14). "How Hilda Baci Made History Cooking Jollof Rice With Largest Pot In 9 Hours" . Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  41. ↑ Staff Writer (2020-02-19). "7 movies and series on Showmax nominated for AMVCAs". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  42. ↑ "How I built huge restaurant brand from remote tiny apartment –Hilda Baci, multi-talented actress, TV producer, host, foodprenuer". The Sun Nigeria. 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  43. ↑ "Mr & Mrs Robert (2023)". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  44. ↑ "FULL LIST: Asake, Tobi Amusan, Osimhen nominated for TFAA 2023". TheCable Lifestyle. 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
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