Keypoints:
- 8,780 kg of jollof rice cooked
- Nine-hour marathon with 10 assistants
- Served to crowds on Victoria Island
NIGERIAN chef Hilda Baci has set a fresh Guinness World Record after cooking the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, weighing a staggering 8,780 kg. The feat took place on September 12 in Lagos and was officially confirmed on Monday by Guinness World Records.
Baci, 28, joined forces with food brand Gino Nigeria and a team of 10 other chefs to create the enormous dish, which included at least 168 kg of goat meat. The marathon effort produced 16,600 plates of rice, all cooked and served to delighted visitors on Victoria Island, the bustling Lagos neighbourhood where the event unfolded.
Nine hours of fire and teamwork
Speaking after the achievement, Baci said it required ‘nine hours of fire, passion and teamwork’ to complete the record-breaking meal, along with 1,200 kg of cooking gas. She described the atmosphere as one of ‘joy, love and community’ as the plates were handed out to the public.
Guinness World Records celebrated the accomplishment on Instagram, calling it a ‘brand new record’ for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice. A Guinness official confirmed the feat in a video call with Baci, noting that no one had previously attempted the record.
Jollof rice: a West African favourite
Jollof rice, a staple across West Africa, is made with rice, tomatoes and a blend of spices, often served with meat or seafood. While each country in the region adds its own twist to the recipe, Nigeria’s version is renowned for its smoky flavour and rich tomato base.
From longest cook to giant dish
This is not Baci’s first brush with record-breaking fame. In May 2023, she earned a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking session, clocking 93 hours and 11 minutes. That record was later overtaken by Irish chef Alan Fisher, who cooked for 119 hours and 57 minutes in November 2023, and more recently by Australia’s Evette Quoibia, who cooked for 140 hours and 11 minutes in May 2025.
Despite losing the endurance title, Baci’s latest culinary triumph cements her place in the global spotlight. Guinness World Records summed it up succinctly: ‘Hilda Bassey and Gino, you are the world record holders for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice. Congratulations.’
