Guinness World Records (GWR) has named Hilda Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci of Nigeria as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon by one individual.
“Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes,” GWR stated in a statement released one month after Baci’s daring cooking.
We’re delighted after seeing all of the footage.
During her wait, Damilola Adeparusi, a Nigerian chef residing in Ekiti State, launched a 120-hour cook-a-thon, but her attempt was welcomed with both admiration and condemnation.
Baci intended to achieve a record of 100 hours, but nearly seven hours were removed from her final total because she took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early in the endeavor.
“As with all ‘longest marathon’ records, the participant is permitted a five-minute rest break for every continuous hour of activity. These rest breaks can be accumulated if not taken. They were the only times Hilda could use the bathroom or sleep during the attempt,” the statement partly read,
Lata Tondon, an Indian chef, set the previous record of 87 hours 45 minutes in 2019.
Hilda attempted this record to “put Nigerian cuisine on the map” and “to inspire young African women to chase their dreams.”
“I also decided to break this record to truly push my limits and test my abilities,” she added.
Hilda prepared for the event by making a 35-item menu “as a guide” for each meal she planned to cook
She made sure she had all of the components for each recipe, and her crew went out and got more food while the cook-a-thon was going on “based on what needed to be topped up.”
Hilda’s record attempt captivated the social media globe, with millions of people in Nigeria and beyond tracking her progress via an Instagram live feed.
Baci’s cook-a-thon was so popular, according to GWR, that its website collapsed for two days due to the unusual number of traffic.
Several high-profile Nigerian figures visited Hilda to support her during her record attempt, such as then President Muhammadu Buhari. then Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; and award-winning singer Tiwa Savage.
GWR added, “After graduating from Madonna University, Nigeria, with a degree in sociology, Hilda decided to embark on her culinary career. She was inspired by her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, who is also a chef.
“Hilda went from success to success, hosting television show Dine on a Budget in 2020, before winning the Jollof Face-off competition in 2021. Representing her native Nigeria, Hilda beat Ghana’s Leslie Kumordzie to claim the victory.
“Now, in 2023, she is officially a Guinness World Records title holder. Congratulations, Hilda!”
