In an event that has captured the hearts and appetites of Lagosians and beyond, renowned chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has taken the city by storm once again. Baci, who held Nigerians spellbound with her 2023 cooking marathon, embarked on a new culinary adventure: preparing and sharing jollof rice on an unprecedented scale at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. After a marathon cooking session exceeding eight hours, the massive pot of rice was finally ready to be served to thousands of eager attendees.
Social media platforms quickly buzzed with visuals and footage showing Baci leading her energetic team in serving heaping portions of steaming jollof to the excited Lagos crowd. According to multiple eyewitness accounts and trending videos, the spectacle was as grand as it was delicious, with rice from over 200 bags being used—a staggering testament to both Baci’s ambition and the beloved status of jollof in Nigeria’s culinary heritage.
One particularly memorable video, reportedly recorded in the early hours around 4 a.m., showed the enormous spread laid out for the masses. As the camera panned over trays and plates brimming with jollof rice, onlookers can be heard exclaiming in awe, “200 bags of rice no be anybody mate!” and “Hilda Baci is feeding Lagos!”— encapsulating the scale and communal spirit of the event.
However, the occasion wasn’t without its drama. According to several sources at the scene, the gigantic jollof pot encountered an unexpected mishap when it collapsed while being hoisted for weighing. While the incident startled many and temporarily disrupted proceedings, organizers and media on the ground confirmed that no injuries were reported. Event volunteers quickly responded, ensuring safety and continuity, much to the relief of everyone present.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎𝐒: 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐢’𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭
Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has begun serving food from her giant jollof rice pot at the Eko Hotel and… pic.twitter.com/BAiYEzSAOD
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch)
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎𝐒: 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐢'𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭
Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has begun serving food from her giant jollof rice pot at the Eko Hotel and… pic.twitter.com/BAiYEzSAOD
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) September 13, 2025
The event, which according to PUNCHONLINE began on Friday, evolved into a vibrant festival that attracted a diverse cross-section of people. Gen Zers mingled with millennials, food lovers, influencers, and popular faces from both the culinary and entertainment industries. Many participants described the gathering as not just a feat of cooking, but a celebration of Nigerian identity and community spirit. “It’s not every day you see a chef unite so many people through food,” said Temitope Adedayo, a local food blogger and attendee. “Everyone here came for the jollof, but we’re also celebrating something bigger—our culture and our capacity for togetherness.”
According to Baci, her motivation extends far beyond breaking records or drawing crowds. In interviews and social media posts, she has emphasized the deeper purpose behind the event: shining an international spotlight on Nigerian cuisine. “Food is a powerful way to tell our story,” Baci stated, referencing her previous Guinness World Record achievement for the longest individual cooking marathon. “This event is about showing that Nigerian food, and jollof rice in particular, deserves to be celebrated globally.”
Jollof rice is more than just a staple dish; it is an icon of West African culinary rivalry and pride, enjoyed in homes and at celebrations from Lagos to Accra and beyond. Its origins and best preparation methods have been hotly debated, most notably in the friendly but fierce Nigeria-Ghana jollof wars that light up social media and international food festivals. According to food historian Dr. Adebayo Ogunleye, “Jollof rice embodies a unique blend of West African culture, history, and creativity—every cook brings their own twist to it, and every country claims theirs is best.” This culinary event therefore not only celebrates Nigerian skill but invites conversations across borders, drawing the attention of Ghanaians, Senegalese, and the wider African diaspora.
Community leaders and culinary experts have lauded Baci’s spectacle for its unifying effect and positive global representation. Speaking to NowahalaZone, Lagos-based chef Chinyere Okafor commented, “We are showcasing to the world what African food really means—generosity, hospitality, and an explosion of flavors.” Several local NGOs also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of food security and sharing in Nigerian society, with representatives suggesting that events like these encourage greater social responsibility.
Events of such magnitude don’t just fill plates—they have ripple effects in the local food industry and the larger economy. According to Lagos Chamber of Commerce data, food festivals and large-scale cooking competitions regularly inject tens of millions of naira into local markets through the purchase of ingredients, catering services, logistics, and media coverage. Vendors supplying the 200 bags of rice (equal to approximately 10 tonnes by industry estimates), oil, protein, and spices reported a surge in demand during the buildup to the event. Transporters, hospitality staff, and small business owners in the vicinity also benefited as crowds gathered at Eko Hotel and Suites, boosting related sectors and creating temporary employment opportunities. “We saw a noticeable bump in trade this weekend,” said Ibrahim Sanni, spokesperson for the Hotel Vendors’ Association, referencing increased room bookings and food court sales.
While the focus remained on celebration, some food security advocates raised questions regarding sustainability and wastage. Representatives from the Nigerian Food Network urged organizers to ensure that large portions of leftovers be donated to shelters, orphanages, or community kitchens. According to organizers, plans were in place to distribute remaining food to local charities, in line with global best practices for minimizing food waste. Analysts like Oluchi Eze, an Abuja-based agribusiness consultant, “While record-setting and showmanship are impressive, major cookouts should equally inspire ongoing support for food-insecure families. It’s encouraging to see more chefs stepping up.”
Beyond local interest, coverage of Baci’s event reached Nigerians and West Africans in the diaspora, sparking pride and nostalgia among those missing home. International news outlets, food bloggers, and diaspora communities in the UK, US, and Canada amplified the festivities, sharing clips and commentary across multiple platforms. The event’s global trending status highlights the enduring appeal of jollof rice as a symbol of African resilience, creativity, and shared joy—and serves to introduce African cuisine to an ever-broader audience. In the words of writer and chef Michael Adjaye from Ghana, “No matter your preferred jollof recipe, moments like these are a win for African culinary heritage.”
Historically, communal meals and food preparation hold deep roots in West African society, forming a crucial aspect of celebrations—whether for weddings, naming ceremonies, or festivals. Baci’s record-breaking pot is therefore more than a novelty: it is part of a long-standing tradition of generosity and festivity. Social commentator Ifeoma Uzo, writing for a local opinion page, observed, “The giant pot may be the star, but the real story is about unity—food brings us together, sparks conversation, and strengthens the social fabric.”
As the crowds dispersed and the aroma of freshly cooked jollof lingered in the air, Lagosians carried home more than just leftovers; they left with memories of an extraordinary communal moment, reflective of both Nigerian ambition and African solidarity. While Baci’s feat will be remembered as a culinary milestone, it also challenges the global community to recognize and appreciate Africa’s rich food traditions and the vital role they play in everyday life. What do you think about Nigeria’s growing reputation as a food culture powerhouse? Who truly makes the best jollof rice—Nigeria, Ghana, or elsewhere in West Africa? Share your perspectives and join the conversation below!
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