Nigerian chef and culinary sensation Hilda Baci has officially broken the Guinness World Record for cooking the largest ever pot of jollof rice. The feat was achieved last week in Lagos, with the dish weighing a staggering 8,780kg.
Baci’s record-breaking recipe included 4,000kg of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600kg of onions, and 168kg of goat meat, all prepared in a custom-made 23,000-litre pot. Despite the pot buckling during the weigh-in and nearly jeopardizing the attempt, no rice was spilled, and the record was confirmed by GWR.
Celebrating the achievement, Baci thanked her team and supporters:
“This moment isn’t just mine… it belongs to all of us. This Guinness World Record was built on unity, love, and collective strength.”
The event drew thousands of spectators, many of whom received portions of the jollof rice after the official weighing. The effort involved a 300-person team to manufacture the giant pot, and 10 chefs helped stir the massive meal with long wooden spoons.
Baci rose to fame in 2023 after holding the title for the longest cooking marathon at 93 hours and 11 minutes. While that record was later broken, this new achievement cements her place as a proud culinary ambassador for Nigeria and West Africa.
“We [Nigerians] are the giant of Africa,” Baci said. “It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice.”
Indeed, it did.
