Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has officially become a three-time Guinness World Records holder after a surprise confirmation from the organization that her September 2025 attempt to cook the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice also qualified as the largest serving of rice overall.
The announcement came on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, when Baci shared the exciting news on her Instagram account, updating her bio to read “Chef X3 Guinness World Record Holder.” In a heartfelt post, she expressed disbelief and gratitude, writing: “Woke up a three-time Guinness World Records holder and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. What a way to step into 2026.”
The development stems from her high-profile record attempt on September 12, 2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Partnering with food brand Gino Nigeria, Baci and her team prepared a massive 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds, 9 ounces) of Nigerian-style jollof rice in a custom-built pot capable of holding 23,000 liters. The dish, which included approximately 4,000 kg of washed basmati rice (comprising at least 80% of the total weight), 600 kg of onions, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 168 kg of fresh goat meat, and other ingredients like Gino Asun and peppered chicken cubes, took about nine hours to cook using 1,200 kg of gas.
The event, dubbed the “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci,” drew thousands of enthusiastic spectators, celebrities, and influencers to Eko Hotels and Suites. It turned into a vibrant celebration of Nigerian cuisine, with music, performances, and community spirit. Despite challenges—such as the giant pot buckling twice under a crane during weighing—no rice was wasted, as per Guinness rules, and the food was distributed to attendees, feeding an estimated 16,600 people.
Guinness World Records initially certified the feat on September 15, 2025, as the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, marking Baci's second record after her 2023 achievement. In May 2023, she gained global fame by completing the longest individual cooking marathon, lasting 93 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the previous holder. (That title has since been broken by others, including Irish chef Alan Fisher and Australian Evette Quoibia.)
Five months after the jollof rice confirmation, Guinness reviewed the attempt against separate guidelines for the broader “largest serving of rice” category. In an email from Andrew Fanning, Head of Client Partnering – Records Creative Team, the organization informed Baci: “Congratulations, you are Officially Amazing (again)! It has come to our attention when comparing record guidelines of the two record titles, that when you and your team attempted and achieved ‘Largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice,’ you also achieved the record title of ‘Largest serving of rice.’” The email proactively awarded her the additional title, with both records now officially listed under Hilda Baci and Gino (all Nigeria) on September 12, 2025.
Reacting to the email, which she received during her morning routine while scrolling through messages, Baci described being “shocked and happy at the same time, completely caught off guard.” She noted that she had assumed the jollof-specific record was the extent of the achievement until this unexpected bonus. In follow-up statements, she expressed profound gratitude to God for His faithfulness, her dedicated team, Guinness World Records, Gino Nigeria, and everyone who supported the effort. “When I and @ginonaija broke the Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, I thought that was it,” she reflected. “What I didn’t know, until now, is that on that same day, we had also broken the record for the largest serving of rice overall.”
The triple-record status cements Baci's place as one of Nigeria's most prominent culinary ambassadors. Her feats highlight the global appeal of Nigerian cuisine, particularly jollof rice—a tomato-based, spiced one-pot dish central to West African food culture and often at the heart of friendly rivalries (notably the “Jollof Wars” between Nigeria and Ghana). Baci's 2025 attempt was framed as a way to showcase Nigeria's culinary heritage and foster unity through food.
Media outlets across Nigeria and internationally celebrated the news on January 21, 2026. Arise News described it as a “surprise recognition” for the world’s largest rice serving overall, while Africanews and Nigeria Info FM emphasized the dual qualification from the same effort. Guinness World Records' official channels and blog have updated the records accordingly, with formal certificates expected to follow.
Baci's journey from her 2023 cook-a-thon to these culinary milestones has inspired many, boosting pride in Nigerian talent and drawing attention to the power of food in cultural diplomacy. As she enters 2026 with three verified world records, the chef continues to innovate, hinting at future projects like promoting her signature coconut rice recipe globally.
This latest honor not only adds to her legacy but also underscores the meticulous review processes of Guinness World Records, where one exceptional effort can yield multiple recognitions upon closer guideline comparison. For fans and fellow chefs, it's a reminder of Baci's resilience, organization, and passion—qualities that have turned her into a national icon.
