HILDA BACI: Nigerian Chef who is a three Guinness World Records Holder

 Hilda Baci 

Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, is a Nigerian chef, restaurateur, TV host and actress who has helped push Nigerian food culture into the global spotlight through headline-making culinary feats. She became a household name after her endurance cook-a-thon in 2023, and later returned to the Guinness World Records book with record-breaking jollof rice achievements that made international news. 

Hilda Baci age and early background

Hilda Baci was born on September 20, 1995, and she turned 30 years old on September 20, 2025.

She is from Akwa Ibom State, and many profiles note that her roots and upbringing strongly shaped her food identity. Over time, she built a public brand that blends Nigerian home-style flavors with modern presentation, storytelling, and media-friendly food content. 

Building a career before the world records

Before Guinness World Records turned her into a global headline, Hilda was already steadily building a name in hospitality and media. She is widely associated with her food brand and restaurant work, and she has also appeared in film projects, showing a career that spans both food and entertainment. 

Her rise reflects a modern Nigerian creative path: start with skill, grow a brand online, then expand into real-world business, partnerships, and mainstream visibility. By the time she announced her Guinness attempt, she had already attracted an audience that believed she could pull off something historic.

Guinness World Record in 2023 the cookathon that changed everything

In May 2023, Hilda launched the now-famous cook-a-thon, cooking continuously for days in Lagos. After Guinness World Records reviewed her evidence, they officially confirmed she broke the record for longest cooking marathon (individual) with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes. Guinness described her as a 26-year-old Nigerian chef at the time of confirmation, and the achievement quickly became a cultural moment across Nigeria and beyond. 

That cookathon did more than set a record. It created a national celebration around food, community support, and the idea that Nigerian cuisine could command global attention. It also sparked a wave of record attempts across West Africa, with people trying everything from cooking marathons to other endurance-style Guinness bids. 

It’s also worth noting that while Hilda held the title after her confirmation, the cookathon record was later surpassed by another chef, meaning her 2023 cookathon is best described as a formerly-held Guinness title that still remains the achievement that launched her global fame. 

Guinness World Record in 2025 biggest jollof rice serving

In September 2025, Hilda returned to the Guinness stage with a jollof rice project that was both massive and symbolic. Working with Gino Nigeria, she achieved the record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz). The cook took place in Victoria Island, Lagos, and reports noted the cooking stretched for about nine hours, drawing large crowds and major media coverage. 

The moment mattered because jollof rice is more than food in West Africa it’s identity, pride, and a cultural debate that stretches across borders. Guinness even framed it in that playful “jollof wars” spirit when covering the record. 

Guinness World Record in 2026 largest serving of rice overall

In January 2026, Hilda’s jollof achievement gained an extra layer: she was also confirmed for a third Guinness World Record the largest serving of rice (overall)using the same 8,780 kg result from the September 12, 2025 event in Lagos. In other words, what began as a jollof rice record attempt was later recognized as also qualifying for the broader “largest rice serving” category, making her a three-time Guinness World Records holder. 

Hilda herself described the later confirmation as emotional and surprising, emphasizing that big records are never a solo effort they require structure, planning, partners, and a strong team. 

Why Hilda Baci’s story stands out

Hilda Baci’s biography is not only about titles; it’s about how she used food to build a modern Nigerian success story. The 2023 cookathon made her a symbol of endurance and ambition. The 2025 jollof record proved she could scale that ambition into large-format culinary production. And the 2026 “largest serving of rice” recognition showed that her impact wasn’t a one-time viral moment it had become a repeatable, world-class brand of achievement.