Nigerian Chef Hilda Baci Becomes Three-Time Guinness World Record Holder After Fresh Recognition

Nigerian Chef Hilda Baci Becomes Three-Time Guinness World Record Holder After Fresh Recognition

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has been officially confirmed as a three-time Guinness World Records (GWR) titleholder following new recognition from Guinness tied to her September 12, 2025, cooking feat in Lagos.

Guinness World Records awarded Baci the title of “largest serving of rice overall” after a post-event review found that her earlier record attempt also satisfied the requirements for that category. The historic cook took place at Victoria Island, Lagos, where Baci and her team prepared an enormous 8,780-kilogram portion of rice — an achievement initially certified as the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.

In an internal communication sent to Baci in January 2026, Guinness World Records confirmed that the single event qualified for two distinct records. The email, which Baci later shared publicly, stated that the feat met all criteria for both titles, earning her an additional Guinness record and bringing her total to three.

Baci’s Guinness World Records now include:
1. Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, achieved in September 2025.
2. Largest serving of rice overall, awarded retroactively in January 2026 after review.
3. Longest cooking marathon by an individual, set in May 2023.

Reacting to the news on social media, Baci said she was “shocked and happy” to learn of the extra recognition months after the original event, describing it as an unexpected but welcome milestone in her record-breaking journey.

Blessing Anolaba
Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.