Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time by an individual.
On April 2, 2023, Hilda Baci announced via her Instagram page that she was going to make her five-year-long dream a reality, stating that she will cook for four days and four nights to break the 87 hours, 45 minutes, set by Chef Lata London in Rewa, India in 2019.
Originally scheduled to begin on April 28th, the event was moved to May 11th to accommodate the additional attendees who registered for the cook-a-thon at Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos.
On Sunday, May 14, the Nigerian chef replied to a tweet where Guinness World Records wrote “today is a good day to break a world record”, stating that she was “on it.”
I’m on it. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/hTSIxOf0C2
— Hilda Baci (@hildabacicooks) May 14, 2023
So far, Hilda Baci has cooked over 110 meals and served 2,795 people, 64 hours into the cook-a-thon, marking a significant milestone in her journey to break the Guinness World Record.
The chef, who has been cooking for 64 hours and counting, with about 23 hours left to reach her goal, is obvious exhausted from being on her feet for three days and counting.
Despite the long hours and hard work, Hilda’s commitment to excellence is evident as she is not compromising on the meal standard and has maintained excellence which her brand is synonymous with.
She’s receiving support from Nigerians from all walks of life including food enthusiasts, influencers, artists and celebrities alike who have flooded the venue of the cook-a-thon since Thursday.
Hilda Baci’s friend and musician, Dremo, has been a constant source of support to the chef since the first day as his musical performances have kept things lively.
Media personalities, Noble Igwe, Enioluwa; beauty enthusiasts hush.ng, Beauty by AD CEO, Adeola; media personality and Hilda’s friend, Ama Reginald; medical doctor, and fashion enthusiasts, Akin Faminu; and Big Brother Titans ex-housemates, Thabang Mazibuko and Tsatsii Madiba, were also present showing their support and admiration for Baci’s attempt.
Social media has also been buzzing, with hashtags such as “Go Hilda” and “Bet on Hilda” dominating the trending topics as Nigerians continue to express their support.
Watch the videos below:
66 hours in! 🥳🥳🥳
30 more hours. 🤞🏾#Hildabacicookathon #betonhilda pic.twitter.com/Tzxw8lICJE
— Hilda Baci (@hildabacicooks) May 14, 2023
Rooting for Hilda Baci pic.twitter.com/WB0SIvIN4C
— Adeyemi (@theecreativeguy) May 14, 2023
What God cannot do does not exist. Rooting for Hilda Baci pic.twitter.com/m13OSF63cL
— Adeyemi (@theecreativeguy) May 14, 2023
Rooting for Hilda Baci
If you think say easy, run am!@hildabacicooks God has strengthened you❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZeQIA0tR8n
— Chiamaka Nwakalor-Egemba (@chef_amakaa) May 14, 2023
We ARE all rooting for Hilda Baci. ❤
She is about to break Guinness Books of Record World’s longest cooking marathon
Even lagos state governor came to support her too
69hours going
Go girl go hilda pic.twitter.com/11KzhIrkUJ
— Mayowa Olagunju ❁ (@iam_doctormayor) May 14, 2023
Bro, this place is so packed there’s no space to go in rn. Hilda is fully making history. So so proud of this. everyone involved is phenomenal! Rooting for Hilda Baci ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fzI5IjY9Kj
— wasiu (@korty_EO) May 14, 2023
We ARE all rooting for Hilda Baci. ❤
She is about to break Guinness Books of Record World’s longest cooking marathon
68 hours going
Go girl go hilda pic.twitter.com/epV108ZINx
— Mayowa Olagunju ❁ (@iam_doctormayor) May 14, 2023
I’m tired of tearing up like she’s my sister🥲🥲 It’s just so emotional🥰🥰
Strongly rooting for Hilda Baci!! Go Girl! Break the Guinness Record.
You can Queen💪💪 #GoHildaGo pic.twitter.com/IRlAKy7dnP
— Chinaza Awadike (@ChinazaAwadike) May 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/SureBlognaija/status/1657687728413081601?s=20
This video of Dremo performing for Hilda baci is so cuteeeee😍😍😍
The energy is backkkkk🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/uBR3y9ujRj
— Khaleedah Dollars🤑💅🏾 (@thekhaleedahhh) May 13, 2023
Hilda Baci is an Akwa Ibom lady and yesterday night as she was cooking, Akwa Ibom dancers came to dance and encourage one of their own.
It's all hands on deck because she's all of us at this moment!!! pic.twitter.com/24RnIlw03W
— SportsDokita (Odogwu ☝️) (@Sports_Doctor2) May 14, 2023
This comes barely one week after Nigerian Singer, Rema made it to the Guinness World Book of Records after his song “Calm Down” made history as the first No.1 Hit on The Official MENA Chart (the world’s first regional streaming chart).