Popular Nigerian chef and former Guinness World Record title holder for longest cooking marathon by an individual, Hilda Baci, lost her title plaque in November 2023. This was barely five months after the widely celebrated chef received a confirmation plaque from the record-breaking authority as the official title holder.
Chef Hilda Baci clinched the title after cooking for a total of 93 hours and 11 minutes. The 26-year-old is also the first Nigerian to have ever attempted a cooking marathon, a singular reason for which most Nigerians would no longer support any other Nigerian attempting to set a new record in the culinary industry.
Originally known as Hilda Effiong Bassey, the former title holder hails from the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. She is a graduate of Madonna University, located in Okija, Anambra State, where she studied sociology.
During her cook-a-thon, she received unwavering support from well-meaning Nigerians across the country. While several Nigerian celebrities, including those from the Nollywood industry, the Afrobeat industry, and even popular comedians were there to cheer her up, the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also paid her a visit. Nigeria’s vice president at the time, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, had also called to wish her well. Hilda’s cook-a-thon attempt was so popular that it reportedly crashed the Guinness World Records’ website due to the unusual traffic that it pulled.
In November 2023, an Irish chef based in Japan, chef Alan Fisher, outshone the Nigerian chef, having surpassed her 93-hour, 11-minute cooking marathon by over 24 hours, cooking for 119 hours and 57 minutes.
Though Nigerians were sad about the development, Hilda, upon seeing the news of how she had been dethroned, wrote on her X handle:
“I’m so happy to have held a record so prestigious and profound I will forever be honored and grateful for all the love and support.”
The Guinness World Record, while disclosing Fisher’s achievement, also described Hilda as Nigeria’s cooking queen.”
Meanwhile, recall that shortly after Hilda’s feat, which was widely celebrated by Nigerians across the world, another chef, Damilola Adeparusi, otherwise known as Chef Dami, also attempted to set a new record with her planned 120-hour cooking marathon which she actually completed. Chef Dami’s attempt was, however, plagued by a number of backlashes from Nigerian internet users who alleged a lack of adequate resources for her attempt, alleged sales of the food that she cooked during the cook-a-thon, and allegations of being manipulated by her pastor, who allegedly loaned her some resources with the hope of collecting his cut when she was done cooking and gaining some wealth and popularity. But the worst of all was the eventual discovery of Dami’s failure to officially apply to the Guinness World Record before embarking on her mission. It was categorically a waste of time and resources, despite surpassing Hilda Baci’s 100 hours and being gifted by some people of goodwill.
One notable experience during her attempt was Hilda’s unwavering support for her. Hilda, via her X handle, had enjoined her to stay resilient and inspire others. She wrote:
“The beauty of dreams is that they are unique to each individual. Dami, your boldness to take on a cooking challenge shows that passion knows no limits.
“Embrace the journey, learn from every experience and inspire others with your unwavering spirit”.
