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Guinness World Records Awards Hilda Baci for the World’s Longest Cooking Marathon
Nigerian chef Hilda Baci smashes Guinness World Record for longest cooking marathon, clocking in at 93 hours and 11 minutes. Congratulations!
Hilda Baci, also known as Hilda Effiong Bassey, has been recognized by Guinness World Records for achieving the longest cooking marathon by an individual. The 26-year-old Nigerian chef cooked continuously for an impressive 93 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes set by Lata Tondon in 2019.
Recall that Hilda’s journey began on Thursday, May 11, and concluded on Monday, May 15, during which she prepared over 100 pots of food. Despite her initial aim of reaching 100 hours, a minor mistake during one of her rest breaks led to a deduction of nearly seven hours from her final total.
The cook-a-thon rules allowed Hilda five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, which she used for bathroom breaks and sleep. Hilda’s ambition in setting this record was to showcase Nigerian cuisine on a global scale and inspire young African women to pursue their dreams.
Hilda meticulously planned her feat by creating a menu consisting of 35 items, ensuring she had all the necessary ingredients. Her team procured additional food items as needed throughout the marathon. The event gained tremendous popularity on social media, with millions of followers tuning in via Hilda’s Instagram live stream. The overwhelming support caused the Guinness World Records website to crash for two days.
Prominent figures, including Vice President of Nigeria Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and award-winning singer Tiwa Savage, visited Hilda to offer their support during her record attempt.
During the cook-a-thon, Hilda adhered to specific rules, including having at least two items being cooked simultaneously. While a sous-chef could assist with prep work and kitchen cleanup, all cooking had to be done by Hilda herself. Importantly, all food prepared had to be consumed, and Hilda invited the public to enjoy her meals. Leftover food was donated to the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, emphasizing Hilda’s goal of making the event free and feeding the less privileged.
Hilda’s culinary journey began after obtaining a sociology degree from Madonna University, Nigeria. Inspired by her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, who is also a chef, Hilda quickly made a name for herself. She hosted the television show “Dine on a Budget” in 2020 and emerged victorious in the 2021 Jollof Face-off competition, defeating Ghana’s Leslie Kumordzie.
With her latest achievement, Hilda Baci solidifies her place as a Guinness World Records title holder, bringing honor to Nigeria’s culinary landscape. Congratulations to Hilda on this remarkable accomplishment!