With a dream that actively began five years ago, through resilience, hard work and a dedicated team, Hilda Baci has broken and set a new world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual (100 hours and 40 minutes). The multi-talented chef and record breaker is also a renowned foodpreneur, actress and TV presenter known for her exceptional homemade recipes. She is the founder of "My Food by Hilda", a premium restaurant and delivery service for African and continental dishes.
In a remarkable feat of culinary endurance and passion, Hilda Effiong Bassey captivated the world with her extraordinary achievement of setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon. The chef on Monday morning smashed the 87 hours 45 minutes record set by Guinness World Record holder, Lata Tondon. Pushing the boundaries of her skills, determination, and love for food, Baci embarked on a challenging culinary journey that spanned an astonishing 96 consecutive hours of non-stop cooking. Further strengthened by the outpour of support and love from friends, families and relatives, she rounded it up to 100 hours, with extra 40 minutes.
Who is Hilda Baci?
The multi-talented chef is a renowned foodpreneur, actress and TV presenter known for her exceptional homemade recipes is the founder of "My Food by Hilda", a premium restaurant and delivery service for African and continental dishes. Her cooking skills led her to the world of television, where she started with the cooking segment "In my Kitchen" on Rave TV's breakfast show, Morning Rave. She was also the host of "Dine on A Budget" on Pop Central TV, where she engaged celebrities on topical issues and treated them to a good dining experience. Hilda's hard work and dedication paid off when she launched her first premium fast-food restaurant in June 2022, catering to an incredible number of clients.
She has also showcased her acting prowess in various movies and soap operas, including Dream Chaser, which was nominated for Best Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA). As a humanitarian, Hilda believes that everyone deserves well-prepared meals. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she provided over 3,000 meals to less privileged communities for social impact. She has also trained over 2,500 students in the culinary arts, giving prizes and incentives to the best-performing students.
In an earlier press briefing where she talked about the inspiration behind the desire to break the record, Hilda said, “If you ask me five years ago when I had this idea, I would have said it’s because of fame. I was highly infatuated with the Guinness world record.” In preparation for the marathon cooking, the chef underwent a strict fitness routine, with some changes in habits and even some weight loss. “Me going to the gym has also shown that I really want to do this. I had to lose weight. I kept saying to everyone during the 24-hour dry run that I couldn’t have done this when I was bigger, I lost about 22kg last year,”she said.
With her infectious enthusiasm and remarkable talent, Chef Hilda Baci has become a symbol of inspiration for aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide. Her relentless pursuit of perfection and her unwavering passion for creating delightful culinary experiences have set her apart as a trailblazer in the Nigerian culinary scene.
Throughout her remarkable journey, Baci displayed an unwavering commitment to her craft, showcasing her expertise in a diverse range of culinary styles and techniques. From classic Nigerian delicacies to international dishes, her gastronomic creations were a testament to her versatility and creativity.
Achieving a milestone of this magnitude was no easy task. Over the course of those grueling 100 hours, Chef Hilda Baci pushed her physical and mental limits to their extreme. She meticulously planned her menu, persevered through exhaustion, and maintained an unwavering focus on the quality and presentation of each dish she prepared, preparing over 110 meals and over 2,500 servings during the period. This extraordinary feat not only highlights her exceptional culinary skills but also her resilience, determination, and unyielding passion for her craft.
Support and Recognition From Leaders and Celebrities
When the venue of a cook-a-thon gets closed, it tells you how much support and wellwishers is present, and this was the case for the Nigerian chef. It is an understatement to say she was overwhelmed by support from all angles, her friends, celebrities, and well-wishers. On Sunday morning, the Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo called to convey the good wishes of the country’s upper society to the resilient chef. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo olu also paid her a visit at the venue of the cook-a-thon.
On her Instagram live page, the President-elect of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent his good wishes. Nigerian celebrities from the likes of Wizkid, Timaya, all sent good wishes over the phone. Over the four-day period, host and influencer, Enioluwa Adeoluwa was present, comedian, Sydney Talker, Elozonam, Iyabo Ojo, Seyi Vibez, and a host of others came to show their support for the record breaker.
As news of her record-breaking achievement spreads, Chef Hilda Baci's name resonates within the global culinary community. Her accomplishment serves as a reminder that hard work, dedication, and a deep-rooted love for what one does can shatter boundaries and pave the way for unprecedented success. In response, Guinness World Records in a tweet said her attempt will now be subject to a review of evidence by the Guiness World Records before the record is officially confirmed.
Congratulations to her!