Nigerian chef and entrepreneur, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has broken the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Cooking Marathon By An Individual.”
The 27-year-old celebrity chef broke the previous 87-hour, 45-minute record set by Indian chef Lata Tondon in 2019, achieving a new world record of 100 hours, 45 minutes.
Hilda started her Cook-A-Thon journey at exactly 4 pm on Thursday, May 11, and continued cooking nonstop till 8:45 pm on Monday, May 15, 2023. She beat the previous world record at 7:46 am on Monday and then went on to surpass the 96-hour goal she initially set for herself at the start of her quest.
With the help of over twenty chefs, Hilda prepared over 100 dishes during the four-day Cook-A-Thon. She had five-minute breaks every hour and a one-hour rest after 12 hours for medical checks, washing, and resting.
Thousands of cheering supporters gathered at the Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos State to watch her prepare various local dishes. The event, which was also streamed on various online platforms, attracted a number of celebrities, and politicians who came to offer their support and cheer her on during her remarkable journey.
Some of the guests at the event include the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, and former Governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio. Others include entertainment stars like Tiwa Savage, Banky W, Timi Dakolo, Orezi, Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Yvvone Jegede, Charles Okocha, Nancy Isime, Bimbo Ademoye, and a host of others.
Hilda also got a royal visit from the wife of the Ọò̩ni of Ifẹ̀, Queen Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi who stopped by to extend her support and presented her with a special ‘Staff of Royalty’ as the “Queen of the Kitchen”.
Hilda’s Cook-A-Thon took social media by storm where she garnered immense support
Hilda Bassey’s Cook-A-Thon also became a sensation on Twitter, receiving an outpouring of support and well-wishes from various individuals. President Muhammad Buhari, President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and prominent figures like Peter Obi and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour all extended their goodwill messages. Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo even made a personal phone call to offer his support and encouragement.
Hilda who is not new to cooking competitions, was a participant and winner in the inaugural Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021 where she earned a $5000 prize. She said her determination to break the record was fueled by the desire to exemplify the hard work of young Nigerians and raise awareness about the underrepresentation of young African women.
Although Hilda’s remarkable achievement awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records, the organization has acknowledged her impressive attempt and expressed the need to review the evidence before officially confirming a new record. In a tweet, Guinness World Records described her endeavor as “amazing” and emphasized the importance of thoroughly evaluating all the evidence.
Congratulations to Hilda Baci for breaking the cooking record, and setting a new world record! We salute your courage, strength, and determination. The whole of Nigeria is proud of you.
