Hilda Baci Reveals Why She Reduced Jollof Rice Bags In Historic Guinness World Record Attempt
Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has clarified why she decided to cook 200 bags of rice instead of the 250 bags originally planned in her bold quest to set a new world record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
Speaking exclusively to PulseNets at Eko Hotels, Lagos, Baci explained, “When we started the weighing, every single thing including the pot had to be measured. The crane and scale available can only handle 20,000 kilograms. To stay safe and avoid failure, we had to go below that capacity so the scale could hold it all at once.”
She further told PulseNets, “The custom pot and everything inside could have crossed the 20,000-kilogram mark, which posed a serious technical risk. Reducing the rice bags was the only responsible choice.”
Despite the adjustment, Baci assured the audience that the challenge remains extraordinary. “Even at 200 bags, we are rewriting history. This is 4,000 kilograms of rice, enough to feed 20,000 people with ease. We are still very much at the top,” she reported.
The festival-like event has drawn thousands of food enthusiasts, entertainers, and VIP guests, transforming the Guinness World Record attempt into a lively Lagos celebration filled with live music, dancing, and celebrity appearances.
Baci described the jollof rice marathon as the biggest project of her culinary career, adding that it took nearly a year of planning. She spoke to PulseNets, praising her support network. “Fabricating the massive pot alone took about two months. It was hectic pulling everything together, but watching it come alive is worth every ounce of stress.”
Also Read: GWR: ‘I remain a record holder in spirit and in history’ — Hilda Baci
She also learnt through her sponsors’ efforts that the undertaking required nine months of preparation and almost nine hours of non-stop cooking to complete.
In a heartwarming gesture, the Guinness World Records team in London sent Baci a message on social media to cheer her on and wish her success in this ambitious attempt, which has already captivated the global food community.
