Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest jollof rice dish, weighing 8,780kg. The community-spirited event showcased the culinary traditions of Nigeria and brought thousands together in celebration.

Last week in Lagos, Nigerian chef Hilda Baci broke the Guinness World Record for the largest jollof rice dish, which weighed a staggering 8,780kg. After nine hours of cooking, the massive pot almost met disaster but managed to survive the weigh-in intact. Baci expressed gratitude to her supporters and emphasized the communal effort behind this achievement, which highlights Nigeria's rich culinary heritage. The dish was shared among the thousands who gathered for the record attempt.

Chef Hilda Baci Sets World Record with Enormous Jollof Rice Dish

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has broken the world record for cooking the largest ever pot of jollof rice in Lagos last week.

Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed the achievement on social media, stating that Ms Baci's concoction of the popular West African dish weighed in at a staggering 8,780kg.

After nine hours of cooking, the effort faced a moment of crisis when the giant pot used to prepare the dish broke while being hoisted onto a crane to be weighed, fortunately, none of the rice was lost.

Baci celebrated the victory by thanking her team and fans: This moment isn't just mine... it belongs to all of us.

Despite the pot buckling twice during its weigh-in, a member of Baci's team assured that evidence was collected to certify the achievement with GWR.

Baci praised her tireless team and expressed that the record was built on 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 closer. This win is yours too.

The recipe for the monumental jollof included an impressive 4,000kg of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600kg of onions, and 168kg of goat meat, all cooked in a custom-built pot that could hold 23,000 liters.

Thousands gathered to witness the world record attempt, echoing their support for Baci, who previously set the record for the longest cooking marathon in 2023. Following the achievement, the mammoth dish was portioned and shared among the eager crowd and passersby.

After months of meticulous planning and the dedicated efforts of a talented team of chefs, Baci emphasized the pride she feels representing Nigeria, a nation renowned for its culinary prowess. We [Nigerians] are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for. It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice; it would be nice for the country, she remarked.

The giant steel pot was crafted by a team of 300 people over two months, marking a collaborative triumph in its own right. Jollof rice, a staple throughout several West African countries, remains a beloved dish, usually served with proteins.

Baci herself earned popularity after winning a jollof rice competition in 2021 and became a national figure following her record marathon cooking attempt, where she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes. She briefly lost that title to Irish chef Alan Fisher, and the current record holder is Evette Quoibia of Australia.