Chef Hilda Baci sets new Guinness World Record for longest cooking time

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has set a new record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

The cook, a native of Akwa Ibom, surpassed the previous record on Monday morning around 8:30am when she clocked 88 hours.

The restaurateur began the competition on Thursday, May 11 after she turned on her cooker at 4pm.

Before now, an Indian chef Lata Tondon held the world record which she achieved in 2019 with 87 hours 45 minutes record uninterrupted cooking.

If certified by the Guinness World Record, Hilda Baci will be the new record holder.

In her ongoing record-breaking attempt, Nigerians, including several celebrities defied the rain to physically cheer up the visibly tired chef.

She will be rounding off her marathon cooking on Monday.

A post on her Instagram page said, “She’s done itttt! Congratulations to the amazing @hildabaci on this amazing achievement. 88 hours down and still going!”

The chef won the maiden edition of the Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021, pocketing a grand prize of $5,000.

Several high-profile persons including President-elect Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 poll, Peter Obi; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Tiwa Savage, Ik Ogbonna, and Nancy Isime, have identified with her since she began her marathon ‘cook-a-thon.’

Mr Sanwo-Olu visited Hilda Baci, born Hilda Bassey, at the venue of her cooking on Sunday.

“Her dedication, passion for cooking as well as her desire to put our rich culture on the map by not only exhibiting our food but also the resilience, determination, energy and team spirit that has come to be known as the spirit of Lagos and indeed Nigeria is truly remarkable,” the governor wrote on social media.

The chef spent time in the gym with fitness expert and BBNaija star Kemen while preparing for the marathon cooking.