Hilda Baci attempts the world’s largest jollof rice record

Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci is attempting to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice ever cooked. The event, held at Eko Hotels in Lagos, drew a massive crowd of more than 20,000 people and several Nigerian celebrities.

Baci said the custom-made pot used for the cook-off took two months to fabricate and that nine months of detailed planning went into the entire event. The process took nine hours from start to finish, with five hours dedicated solely to making the sauce. She called the experience “challenging but exciting” and promised that every attendee would enjoy a hygienic and free plate of jollof rice.

Months of preparation for a giant pot

The scale of the challenge was extraordinary. According to Baci, fabricating the giant pot was one of the first and most difficult steps. Mr. Ayo, who oversaw the process, spent two months sourcing the right materials and designing a structure that could withstand heat and hold thousands of litres of food.

Originally, Baci planned to use 5,000 kilograms of raw basmati rice — about 250 bags — but logistical issues led her to reduce the quantity to 4,000 kilograms, roughly 200 bags. Even with the adjustment, the numbers are staggering. The pot reportedly measures about six meters wide and six meters tall and can hold more than 22,000 litres of food.

Baci also revealed that before the event, she personally cleaned the pot inside and out to ensure maximum hygiene. “It had to be squeaky clean,” she said. The build-up to the cook-off also required sourcing huge amounts of onions, tomatoes, peppers, spices, oil, and firewood.

Read: Benefits of Honey Dew Melon

A marathon cooking day

On the day of the event, the team worked continuously for nine hours to complete the cooking. Five of those hours went into preparing the sauce — chopping vegetables, balancing spices, and ensuring enough flavor to serve thousands of portions. Once the sauce was ready, they layered in the rice, slowly cooked it, and carefully stirred the mixture to avoid burning and ensure even cooking.

Fans and supporters filled the venue to witness the spectacle. The atmosphere was electric, with music, celebrity appearances, and the rich aroma of jollof rice filling the air. Nigerian stars such as Funke Akindele, Tacha, and Bambam attended to cheer Baci on.

Although the result now awaits official verification from Guinness World Records, the chef said the attempt itself was a dream come true. “It was challenging but very exciting at the same time,” she said.

Baci, who previously held the record for the longest cooking marathon in 2023, explained that her goal was to celebrate Nigerian cuisine and create a unifying moment for food lovers across the country. “The idea wasn’t just about the record,” she said. “It was about sharing jollof rice with the community and showing the world the beauty of Nigerian food culture.”

Whether or not Guinness confirms the attempt as a new world record, the event has already made a cultural impact. It has sparked conversations online, inspired young chefs, and once again put Nigerian cuisine in the spotlight.