Hilda Baci describes tense moment during record-breaking jollof rice cook
Nigerian celebrity chef and restaurateur Hilda Baci has opened up about a dramatic moment that nearly disrupted her attempt to set a Guinness World Record for cooking the largest pot of jollof rice.
The incident occurred during the World Jollof Festival held in Lagos on September 12, where Baci and her team prepared nearly 8,780 kilograms of jollof rice in a specially designed, massive cooking pot.
Speaking in a video interview shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Hilda described how a custom-made six-metre-wide pot, built to hold approximately 23,000 litres, unexpectedly collapsed during a crucial moment of the weighing process.
“My heart was in my hands” — Hilda recalls the collapse
According to Hilda, the failure of the pot’s support legs caused a brief wave of panic as her team was preparing to officially weigh the dish for submission to Guinness World Records. A crane had been hoisting the pot when one side gave way, leading to the collapse of its support frame. Fortunately, the contents of the pot — the nearly nine tons of jollof rice — remained intact, and the incident did not ruin the record attempt.
“When we had the mishap with the pot, my first few seconds, my heart was in my hands. I was very scared, very worried,” she admitted.
Hilda explained that her initial concern was not about losing the record but about how the situation might affect the experience for those in attendance. Feeding the crowd, she said, had always been just as important as setting a new record.
Feeding the crowd mattered more than the record
Despite the mishap, Hilda expressed gratitude that the collapse turned out to have an unintended benefit. The easier access to the rice made food distribution to the crowd more efficient.
“For me, the record was not the most important thing. It was important that people got to taste and enjoy the food we had spent hours making,” she said.
“I would say it was a good thing that the pot caved because it made food distribution a lot easier… it was a blessing in disguise,” she added, emphasizing her focus on community and celebration.
How the Guinness World Record was secured
Hilda and her team acted quickly in response to the structural failure, ensuring the situation was well-documented and transparent. She explained that they recorded both photographic and video evidence of the incident and the actual weighing process. This material was later submitted to Guinness World Records for verification.
Despite the logistical challenge, the record was officially recognized. Guinness World Records confirmed Hilda Baci as the current record holder for the largest amount of jollof rice cooked at one time, a major culinary and cultural milestone.
A new chapter for Nigerian culinary pride
The successful feat at the World Jollof Festival not only cemented Hilda Baci’s reputation as a trailblazer in the culinary world but also served as a moment of pride for Nigeria and lovers of West African cuisine. Jollof rice, a dish beloved across West Africa, has long been a symbol of regional identity and friendly rivalry — particularly between Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal.
By cooking nearly 19,356 pounds of jollof rice, Hilda showcased the richness of Nigerian cuisine on the global stage and proved her ability to lead large-scale culinary projects under pressure.
Conclusion
While the pot collapse could have ended in disaster, Hilda Baci’s quick thinking and leadership turned a potentially record-breaking setback into a triumph. The incident, which she now sees as a “blessing in disguise,” highlights the resilience and spirit of innovation that continue to define her culinary journey. As she adds another world record to her growing list of achievements, Hilda remains an inspiration to aspiring chefs across Africa and beyond.
