Hilda Baci

Category: Nigerian Entrepreneurs Under 50


Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci is a Nigerian Chef and Entrepreneur, who became famous for trying to break the Guinness World Record for the "Longest Cooking Marathon By an Individual"

The multi-talented TV producer, actress, and chef is from Akwa Ibom in Nigeria. She was born in 1996.

Hilda has hit the 85-hour mark on Monday morning, with less than 3 hours remaining to set a new world record.

The restaurateur kick-started the competition on Thursday at exactly 4pm after she turned on her cooker.

She aims to beat the 87 hours 45 minutes record set by the current Guinness World Record holder, Lata Tondon, an Indian chef who made the feat in 2019.

The event, which is taking place at Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos, is being live-streamed on YouTube, and several celebrities, including Nigerians who have defied the rain to cheer up the visibly tired chef up.

Baci hit the three-day mark on Sunday as several attendees cheered in support.

The cook-a-thon’s Instagram account, @hildabacicookathon revealed that the event is headline sponsored by GB Foods. Other sponsors include Arla Foods, BaigeWallet, Filmhouse, Jumbo, Uber and Woodscope.

The Cookathon has garnered attention both online and at the physical venue where celebrities are trooping in to support the chef.

Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha; actress, Kate Henshaw; singer, Tiwa Savage; media personality, Enioluwa, and many others appeared at the event.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also visited the venue on Sunday to cheer up Baci.

Filmmaker, Kevin Adetiba, wrote on twitter, “REALLY rooting for HILDA BACHI. Don’t know her personally, but her drive, ambition and resilience, inspires and motivates me IMMENSELY.

“Sending her prayers and the best vibes to PUSH THROUGH. She’s inspiring people she doesn’t even know. GO HILDA… YOU GOT THIS!!!”

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, also lauded Baci for her “determination and focus.”

“The efforts being made by Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci) to beat the current Guinness World Record for cooking for 4 days nonstop shows the true Nigerian spirit of hardwork and resilience. I applaud her determination and focus on the goal, which are inspiring many Nigerian youths to live their dreams through hardwork and dedication.

“I wish her well on this noble journey to pen her name in the golden book of history. -PO,” he tweeted on Sunday.

Baci is not new to cooking competitions, she was a participant in the maiden edition of the Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021. The talented chef made Nigeria proud by winning the competition and walking away with a grand prize of $5000.

READ: Governor Sanwo-Olu Shows Up For Chef Hilda Who Is Trying To Break Guinness World Record For ‘Longest Cooking Time’ (Video) 

 

Reports showed that during the four days cooking streak, Baci is not expected to take coffee, stimulants, or any energy drink to boost her energy and bodily strength as she must cook artificially.

She is, however, allowed to eat food, drink water or fruit juice, & take glucose. Baci cooks all day with no sleep (Morning, afternoon, evening, and night).

During this time, she has just 5 minutes rest per hour [meaning for every 1 hour, she is entitled to just 5 minutes rest or break, an hour break every 12 hours].

She also gets a 30-minute break every 6 hours. 

It is gathered that Baci spends the 30mins in a medical van which is just close by, within which she can nap, use the restroom, and also get a medical assessment or checkup by the medical team available on the spot.

Another thing worthy of note is that whatever Baci cooks are shared with the people at the venue for FREE.

She is expected to cook different meals simultaneously and she is at liberty to cook any meal she likes as there are no restrictions as to what she can cook or not cook.