In the heart of Lagos, the aroma of tomato, spices, and slow-simmering rice drifted through the air as thousands gathered to witness history in the making. At the center of it all was Nigerian chef and culinary star Hilda Baci, who set out to cook what could become the world’s largest pot of jollof rice—a dish as symbolic as it is beloved across West Africa.
Baci, 28, is no stranger to headline-making feats. In 2023, she stunned the world with a grueling 93-hour-and-11-minute cooking marathon, earning her the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cooking session. Two years later, she returned with an even bigger dream—literally.
This time, her challenge was measured not in hours but in sheer scale. Into a custom-built steel vessel the size of a small swimming pool, Baci and her team poured 4,000 kilograms of rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, and 600 kilograms of onions, creating a bubbling pot that could feed a town. The pot itself—crafted over two months by engineers and artisans—held nearly 23,000 liters of food.
The preparation was nothing short of monumental. A 300-person crew worked in shifts, stirring the enormous pot with giant wooden spatulas to ensure even cooking. After several hours, the steaming jollof rice was dished out and shared with the crowd—a fitting tribute to a food known for its communal spirit.
For Baci, this wasn’t just about breaking records. “We are the giant of Africa, and jollof is a food that everybody knows Africans for,” she told BBC Pidgin. “It would make sense if we had the biggest pot of jollof rice. It would be nice for the country.”
Jollof rice, with its bright red tomato base, fiery spices, and versatility with meat or seafood, is more than a meal—it’s a cultural icon, fiercely debated across West Africa over whose version is best.
Baci’s attempt now awaits official verification by Guinness World Records, backed by photo and video evidence. Whether or not it makes the books, the event has already carved its place in Nigerian history—a celebration of food, culture, and the power of one chef’s determination to dream bigger than anyone imagined.