Hilda Baci

Hilda Effiong Bassey was born on 20 September 1995, and she is from the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.^[8] At the age of five, she moved to Abuja with her family and assisted her mother in running a restaurant opposite the Ministry of Defence office after school.^[9] She graduated with a degree in sociology from Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.^[10] She was the host of Dine on a Budget, a television show that airs on Pop Central TV.^[11]

Baci embarked on a culinary education program, drawing inspiration from her mother, a culinary chef.^[12]

In March 2023, Baci announced she would be attempting the record for the longest cooking marathon.^[13] The record was previously held by Lata Tondon^[14] whose cooking marathon lasted for 87 hours, 45 minutes in 2019.^[15][16]

On 11 May 2023, she started her " Cook-a-thon " record attempt.^[17][18] She broke the record on 15 May 2023.^[19] On Monday, May 15, 2023, at exactly 7:45 am, Hilda broke the record for the longest cooking marathon by any individual hitting 87 hours 50 minutes above the previous record holder in 2019.^[20] On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Guinness World Records spokesperson released an official statement on its website saying: "We are aware of the record attempt and are looking forward to receiving the evidence for our Records Management Team to review before we can confirm the record is official."^[21]

To set a new record for the longest cooking marathon, Hilda was originally set to cook for 96 hours but later extended her goal to a 100-hour cooking marathon.^[22][23][24] High-profile Nigerians who visited Hilda include Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Lead Pastor of Harvester International, Bolaji Idowu, Nigerian award-winning singer, Tiwa Savage, Tim Godfrey, Ice Prince.^[25][26] Then-Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, also called to cheer Hilda up during the cook-a-thon.^[27] Hilda received a huge support fan base from Nigerians who trooped to the venue of the cooking competition, while others kept trending her name on Social media.^[28] After review of videos and evidence, Guinness World Records confirmed that Baci had broken the record longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.^{[3][29][30][31]} Her record reportedly sparked a wave of endurance record attempts across Nigeria.^[32]

In November 2023, Hilda Baci lost her Guinness World Record title for the longest cooking marathon by an individual to Alan Fisher, an Irish chef.^[33][34] Fisher cooked for 119 hours and 57 minutes, surpassing Baci's previous record by more than 24 hours.^[35] Fisher also broke the record for the longest baking marathon (individual) with 47 hours and 21 minutes.^[36] Baci congratulated Fisher on his achievement and said she was proud of him for breaking her record.^[37]

On 12 September 2025, Baci achieved another Guinness World Record^[38] during the World Jollof Festival in Lagos, Nigeria. She prepared asun jollof rice over a nine-hour period, producing 8,780 kilograms (19,356 lb 9 oz) of the dish. Guinness World Records confirmed the feat as the largest quantity of jollof rice cooked at once, recognising Baci's achievement later that month^[39][40]