Hilda Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has made history as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, according to Guinness World Records (GWR).
After a thorough review of the evidence, GWR confirmed that Hilda Baci achieved a remarkable time of 93 hours and 11 minutes, breaking the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes set in 2019 by India-based chef Lata Tondon.
Initially aiming for 100 hours, Hilda had to deduct almost seven hours from her final total due to mistakenly taking extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early in the attempt.
Throughout the cooking marathon, Hilda was allowed five-minute rest breaks for every continuous hour of activity, which she used for bathroom breaks or to catch some sleep.
Hilda’s record-breaking attempt gained widespread attention on social media, with millions of people in Nigeria and beyond following her progress through an Instagram live stream.
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The overwhelming response led to the crashing of the GWR website for two days due to the unprecedented volume of traffic.
Hilda, driven by her passion for Nigerian cuisine and the desire to inspire young African women, meticulously prepared a 35-item menu as a guide for each meal she cooked.
Her dedication to showcasing the diversity and richness of Nigerian cuisine earned her visits and support from high-profile Nigerian figures, including then President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and award-winning singer Tiwa Savage.
Hilda’s culinary journey began after graduating with a degree in sociology from Madonna University, Nigeria. Inspired by her mother, chef Lynda Ndukwe, Hilda embarked on a successful career, hosting the television show “Dine on a Budget” in 2020 and emerging victorious in the Jollof Face-off competition in 2021, representing Nigeria against Ghana’s Leslie Kumordzie.
With her new Guinness World Records title, Hilda Baci has solidified her place in culinary history. Congratulations, Hilda!
