Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has broken a new Guinness World Record after preparing the largest pot of jollof rice ever cooked, weighing an astonishing 8,780 kilograms.
The feat was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records (GWR), who praised Baci’s achievement in a post on social media. The event took place last week in Lagos, drawing thousands of spectators and supporters.
Close Call During the Weigh-In
The record attempt nearly came undone after the giant custom-made pot buckled while being lifted by a crane for weighing. Although the pot collapsed twice, none of the rice was spilled, and the weigh-in was successfully completed.
“We made history together,” Baci said in a statement celebrating the news. “This moment isn’t just mine — it belongs to all of us.”
A Recipe of Record-Breaking Proportions
Baci’s record-breaking jollof rice was prepared using:
- 4,000 kg of rice
- 500 cartons of tomato paste
- 600 kg of onions
- 168 kg of goat meat
All ingredients were cooked in a giant steel pot with a 23,000-litre capacity — specially built over two months by a 300-person team. The pot, however, suffered a structural failure at a critical moment when one of its legs gave way.
Baci was supported by a 10-member chef team, all dressed in red uniforms and using long wooden paddles to stir the enormous dish.
Celebrating Culture and Unity
In a post on social media, Baci thanked her “tireless team” and supporters, stating that the effort symbolized unity, love, and collective strength.
“We made history together — for Nigeria, for Africa, and for everyone who believes in the power of food to bring us together. This win is yours too.”
The jollof rice was later served to the crowd in individual portions, ensuring that the celebration was both symbolic and satisfying.
A Long Journey to the Record
Baci told BBC Pidgin that the project took over a year of planning, and her goal was to showcase Nigeria’s cultural pride through one of West Africa’s most iconic dishes.
“We [Nigerians] are the giants of Africa, and jollof rice is a food everyone knows us for,” she said. “It only makes sense that we have the biggest pot of jollof.”
Jollof rice, a beloved staple across West Africa, is made by simmering rice in a rich tomato-based sauce, often served with meat, chicken, or seafood.
No Stranger to Records
Hilda Baci first rose to national fame in 2023 when she set the world record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking 93 hours and 11 minutes. However, she was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher and most recently by Australia’s Evette Quoibia, who holds the current record at 140 hours and 11 minutes.
Baci previously won a national jollof competition in 2021 and has become one of Nigeria’s most prominent culinary figures.
