Hilda Baci Makes History as Three-Time Guinness World Record Holder
The landscape of global culinary achievement has been redefined as Hilda Baci three time Guinness World Record holder status was officially confirmed this week. In a stunning announcement shared on January 20, 2026, the Nigerian celebrity chef revealed that she has been proactively awarded her third title by Guinness World Records (GWR).
This rare “triple crown” achievement comes after a detailed review by the GWR team, which determined that her previous large scale cooking event in Lagos was so massive it simultaneously shattered two distinct world records. For those following the trajectory of Nigerian soft power, this isn’t just a win for a chef; it is a global validation of African culinary ambition.
The Breakdown: Three Records, One Journey
Hilda Baci’s path to becoming a three time titleholder is a masterclass in endurance and strategic planning. To understand the magnitude of her current standing, one must look at the three specific pillars of her record breaking career:
- The Cooking Marathon (May 2023): Baci first gained global prominence by completing a 93 hour and 11 minute cooking marathon. Although the title was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher, her effort sparked a worldwide “cook a thon” phenomenon.
- Largest Serving of Nigerian Style Jollof Rice (September 2025): Partnering with the food brand Gino, Baci prepared a staggering 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds) of jollof rice during the World Jollof Festival in Victoria Island, Lagos. This pot was enough to feed over 16,600 people.
- Largest Serving of Rice Overall (January 2026 Confirmation): In a proactive move, Guinness World Records compared the guidelines for “Nigerian style jollof” and “rice overall.” They concluded that her September 2025 feat was so vast that it also officially qualified as the largest rice serving of any kind ever recorded in human history.
Strategic Brilliance and Teamwork
What makes this latest recognition particularly impressive is the “two for one” nature of the September 2025 event. According to the email from Andrew Fanning, Head of Client Partnering at GWR, the team discovered the overlap during a routine guideline comparison. Baci admitted that she was “completely caught off guard” by the news, discovering the additional record while scrolling through her emails months after the initial celebration.
This success is not a solo effort. Baci has been vocal about the role of her business partner, Oreoluwa Atinmo, and her dedicated culinary team. The logistics of managing 8,780 kilograms of food, roughly the weight of two adult elephants, required military grade precision, from ingredient sourcing to hygiene management. By leveraging brand partnerships and high production live streaming, Baci has transformed cooking into a competitive sport that commands the attention of millions.
Impact on Nigerian Global Identity
As a review of her career impact, it is clear that Hilda Baci has moved beyond being a “cook.” She is now a cultural diplomat. By placing Jollof rice, a dish often at the center of friendly West African rivalries, at the top of the Guinness rankings, she has utilized food as a medium for international recognition. Her achievement provides a blueprint for how personal branding and national heritage can intersect to create a global legacy.
The confirmation of being a Hilda Baci three time Guinness World Record holder serves as a perfect start to 2026 for the chef. It reinforces the idea that even when a goal is achieved, the scale of that achievement can continue to yield dividends long after the fire in the kitchen has been extinguished. As fans and fellow chefs celebrate across social media, the focus now shifts to what “The Record Breaker” has planned next for the global culinary stage.