Hilda Baci, a Nigerian chef and prominent social media personality, has set a new Guinness World Record after preparing what is now the world’s largest-ever serving of jollof rice—a beloved West African staple.

Working alongside food brand Gino, Baci unveiled the massive dish last week on Victoria Island, Lagos, where officials from Guinness World Records were on-site to verify and certify the final weight: 8,780 kilograms, or 19,356 pounds and 9 ounces.

The scale of the effort was considerable. Thousands of kilograms of rice, tomatoes, oil, and spices were processed and cooked using custom-built industrial equipment. The final product was transferred to certified weighing stations, allowing for accurate verification under strict supervision.

The feat drew sizable crowds and sparked widespread attention online, as images of the steaming rice bed circulated on social media. The event quickly became more than a culinary achievement—it was cast as a cultural milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing culinary rivalry with other West African nations, particularly Ghana, over who can lay claim to the best version of jollof rice.

“This was more than just food—it was a national moment,” said one event organizer.

For Baci, the record adds to a growing resume of headline-making culinary achievements. She gained international recognition in 2023 when she set a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cooking marathon, helping to spark a wave of competitive cooking attempts across Africa.

This latest milestone bolsters her public profile while placing Nigerian cuisine on a prominent global stage. The official confirmation from Guinness World Records secures her team’s place in food history and underscores the logistical scale involved in preparing and presenting nearly nine metric tons of a single dish.

As for the jollof, much of it was reportedly distributed to local communities and charities—a fitting conclusion to an event that combined national pride, culinary tradition, and charitable giving.

For now, the enduring image remains: a vast, steaming spread of jollof rice at the heart of Lagos, a testament to both Nigeria’s culinary ambition and Hilda Baci’s flair for turning food into a moment of national celebration.

Source:TheDotNews