Celebrity chef Hilda Baci is making headlines again. After her well-known Guinness record for a cooking marathon, she is now attempting to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos. This event is part of her Gino World Jollof Festival, and thousands of people are expected as she aims to set a new cooking record.
Contents
What Is Happening: Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci |
| Venue | Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos |
| Date / Time | The event started on September 12, 2025, from morning (9 a.m.) |
| Number of Attendees | Over 20,000 people registered to attend the free event |
| Pot Size | Custom-made giant pot measuring 6 metres wide and 6 metres tall, with a capacity of 22,619 litres |
| Ingredients | Initially planned 5,000 kg of raw basmati rice (250 bags), later adjusted to 4,000 kg (200 bags) because of weighing limits; other ingredients include turkey stock, turkey bits, horse meat, vegetables, spices, oil, onions, tomato paste, etc. |
Why This Matters
- New World Record Attempt: Hilda Baci is aiming to break or set a Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice.
- Cultural Pride: Jollof rice is more than a dish in Nigeria—it’s part of identity and culinary culture. This event highlights Nigerian cuisine on a global stage.
- Community Engagement: With tens of thousands attending for free, the event is also a community festival—food, celebration, togetherness.
- Scale & Logistics: Custom fabrication of the giant pot, sourcing of huge volumes of ingredients, sanitary and safety considerations all add to the impressiveness of the feat.
Brands can read also:
- Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci: A Cultural Experience Brands Will Never Forget
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Behind the Scenes: Production Details
- Pot Fabrication: The giant pot was custom made; fabrication took place in southwestern Nigeria over three months.
- Recipe and Cooking Plan: Even though it’s massive scale, Hilda promised the jollof would maintain its “authentic Nigerian” flavour, using turkey stock, bits of turkey and horse meat, and a blend of spices.
- Hygiene and Cleanliness: Hilda herself was involved in cleaning the pot before cooking, and she assured attendees the event would meet high standards of hygiene.
What to Expect at the Event
- Free feeding: Attendees don’t pay to eat; the jollof is given away free of charge.
- Massive turnout: Long lines for registration verification, huge crowd, press and social media buzz.
- Crowd management & verification needed because many registered.
Possible Challenges & Risks
- Logistics & Safety: Cooking at this scale brings risk of fire, structural load of pot, safe handling of large volumes, etc.
- Quality Control: Taste, uniform cooking, avoiding undercooked or overcooked portions when working at massive scale.
- Weather or Technical Delays: Large outdoor or semi-outdoor events can be affected by weather, or power supply, or equipment failure.
- Verification for Record: Guinness requires strict guidelines for measurements, timing, documentation; any small oversight can invalidate a record attempt.
What It Means for Hilda Baci
- This is another milestone. She already holds record(s) (e.g. cooking marathon) and this cements her place in Nigerian (and global) food culture.
- It raises her profile not just as a chef but as event organizer, influencer, brand builder.
- It could inspire similar large-scale culinary events in Nigeria and Africa, boosting food tourism and cultural events.
How You Can Be Part of It
- If you registered, show up early at Eko Hotel & Suites to avoid long queues.
- Bring verification if required.
- Share on social media: tickets, stories, photos to boost the buzz (hashtags like #BigJollof, #HildaBaci, #GinoWorldJollof).
- Respect hygiene & event rules.
Conclusion
Hilda Baci’s Big Jollof event is more than just cooking; it’s a record attempt, a cultural celebration, and a major logistical feat. With her giant pot, huge turnout, free feeding, and culinary ambition, she’s aiming to create a landmark moment for Nigerian food. For food lovers, event planners, and fans alike, this is one to watch—and be part of.
