Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has explained why she reduced the quantity of rice used in her world record attempt for the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof rice.

Baci initially planned to cook 250 bags of rice but later scaled down to 200 bags, citing technical limitations with the measuring crane and scale as the reason for the adjustment.

According to her, the custom-built pot and rice combined would have exceeded the 20,000-kilogram weight limit of the crane and measuring device. To stay within the allowable range, she reduced the quantity by 1,000 kilograms, ultimately cooking 4,000 kilograms of rice.

Feeding Thousands

Despite the reduction, the 200 bags of rice were still enough to feed approximately 20,000 people. Baci emphasised that the initiative was not just about breaking a record but about creating a unifying culinary experience. She said the event was conceived to bring people together through food, culture, and community spirit.

The project required nearly a year of planning, with two months dedicated to fabricating the custom pots and nine months for overall planning. The cooking process itself took almost nine hours to complete.

Guinness World Record Acknowledgment

Guinness World Records acknowledged Baci’s attempt on social media, wishing her success in her bid for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.

Baci’s achievement has cemented her reputation as a culinary icon, inspiring young Nigerians to explore careers in food and hospitality.

Baci rose to global fame in 2023 after setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, which she completed in over 93 hours in Lagos.