Why I cooked 200 bags of rice — Hilda Baci

Guinness World Record holder and celebrity chef, Hilda Baci, has clarified why she prepared 200 bags of rice instead of the initially announced 250 during her latest attempt to set a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof rice.

The event, held on Friday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, drew a carnival-like crowd of food lovers, celebrities, and dignitaries, including Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, dancer Kaffy, and Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun.

Speaking to journalists, Baci explained that the adjustment was due to technical constraints with the equipment used to weigh the massive pot of food.

“The crane and measuring device could only handle 20,000 kilogrammes.

“Since the pot itself had to be weighed along with the rice, we had to stay below that threshold.

“That’s why I cut it down to 200 bags, which produced about 4,000 kilogrammes of Jollof rice,” she said.

According to her, the meal was still large enough to feed 20,000 people, fulfilling the main goal of the challenge.

Baci revealed that the feat required nearly a year of planning and about nine hours of continuous cooking.

“It took two months for Mr. Ayo to fabricate the custom pot and nine months to plan the event.

Cooking the entire meal itself took almost nine hours,” she explained, adding that the process was hectic but rewarding.

She also emphasized that the challenge was not originally conceived as a Guinness World Record attempt but as an opportunity to bring Nigerians together through food.

“When I came up with this idea, it was about feeding people and creating an experience, not necessarily breaking a record,” she noted.

Guinness World Records, which certified her cook-a-thon in 2023, joined in the excitement by sharing a video of the event on its official handle, wishing her success.

Baci’s latest feat further cements her reputation as a culinary icon and continues to inspire young Nigerians to explore careers in food and hospitality.