Meet Hilda Baci, the Nigerian who ‘broke Guinness world record for longest cooking time’
Hilda Bassey Effiong, the young Nigerian lady simply known as Hilda Baci, has become a viral sensation. Talk about tenacity, determination and excellence, she’s got it all.
Born on September 20, 1996, the 27 years old chef demonstrated that nothing is impossible by breaking the Guinness world record — though yet to be officially confirmed — for the longest cooking time on Monday.
Her cook-a-thon as she tags the challenge is slated for 96 hours (4 days) beginning from 11th May -15th May to break the record of Lata Tandon an Indian chef who cooked for 87 hours 45 minutes in 2019.
Hilda, however, moved the 96 hours timeline to 100 hours on the fourth day. She planned to cook 35 sides, soups, cold dishes, and sauces surpassed her target to over 110 dishes.
#100hrs !
Hilda did it!💫🤯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥🙌🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/OU9WTibW6J
— Crisp Nigeria (@crispnigeria) May 15, 2023
The Akwa Ibom sensation, who is a graduate of Sociology from Madonna University, Okija runs the food brand ‘My food by Hilda’ located in Lagos.
Her recent feat is not by fluke. Hilda said she has been for preparing for this challenge both mentally and physically for five years and in the course of this preparation has had a lifestyle change and has also lost 20kg.
Hilda’s determination and resilience is that of an average Nigerian who go the extra mile to achieve success. The likes of Stephen Keshi, Vincent Okezie, Fela Kuti, Blessing Okagbere, Wizkid and others who hold world records in different categories proves this. It also serves as a validation of the power women have to make an impact in the world.
Her challenge is an inspiration for many individuals across the world, women and youths especially who are seeking to make a difference and as well as write their names in history books. Hilda’s culinary expertise is definitely a case of passion meeting determination.
Nigerians have since shown massive support as over 3,000 of people physically visited the venue, Amore Gardens Lekki including personalities like Enioluwa, Charles Okocha, Kate Henshaw and the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Millions of individuals, chefs and important personalities including the presidential aspirant of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Sen. Bola Asiwaju Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari have also shown their solidarity on social media.
Breaking records is not new too Hilda as in 2021 she emerged the winner of the first everJollof Face-off Competition. The skilled chef won a grand prize of $5000 having represented Nigeria and yet again she makes history by putting Nigeria on the map.
Hilda’s mum, Mrs Lynda Ndukwe an Igbo lady is also a chef and owns Calabar Pot, an indoor and outdoor catering outlet in Abuja. Truly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Linda also has a brother who is also known for excellence as he emerged the best student at 2018 Multi-Choice Talent Factory.
The multi-talented beauty is also an actress and tv presenter and has starred in a number of movies and soap operas which includes Dreamchaser’s; which was nominated for best film in the Multichoice factory for the Africa Magic Viewers’Choice Awards (AMVCA) in which she featured as the supporting lead, as well as Sideways, Flatmates, A Walk on the Water, and Mr. & Mrs. Robert.
In 2020 she co-hosted Y’ello star, a music reality project by MTN centred on discovering music talents in young Nigerians alongside Tobi Bakare, former Big Brother Naija housemate.
‘WE’RE REVIEWING HILDA’S FEAT’
In a tweet via its Twitter page, Guinness World Records said it is reviewing Hilda’s evidence before officially certifying the record.
“Our records team is looking forward to reviewing the evidence from Hilda’s epic cooking marathon,” it wrote.
Our records team is looking forward to reviewing the evidence from Hilda's epic cooking marathon.https://t.co/fzRlNpqU8e
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) May 16, 2023
