Nigerian celebrity chef and restaurateur Hilda Baci has reached another historic milestone after being officially inducted into the Guinness World Records (GWR) ICONS list. The recognition places her among a select group of individuals whose achievements have made a lasting global impact and inspired millions around the world.
Guinness World Records recently announced Hilda Baci as one of its official ICONS for 2026, describing her as "the queen of cooking records" and a trailblazer who sparked a global cookathon movement. According to GWR, her achievements helped popularize record-breaking attempts across Africa and beyond.
The organization highlighted her record-breaking cooking marathon in 2023, where she cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the previous record and capturing worldwide attention. Guinness World Records noted that the event became a global sensation and even caused an unprecedented surge in traffic to its website.
Hilda Baci, whose full name is Hilda Effiong Bassey, rose to international fame in May 2023 when she completed her famous cookathon in Lagos. Her achievement united Nigerians across social, political, and ethnic divides as millions followed her journey online and on-site.
Although her cooking marathon record was later surpassed by Irish chef Alan Fisher, Hilda continued her record-breaking journey. In 2025, she returned to the Guinness World Records books by preparing 8,780 kilograms of Nigerian-style jollof rice, earning recognition for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice and additional rice-serving records.
Guinness World Records stated that Hilda's influence inspired a wave of marathon-style record attempts across Africa, often referred to as "The Hilda Effect."
Hilda Baci's induction as a Guinness World Records ICON is more than a personal achievement. It represents global recognition of Nigerian talent, culture, and cuisine.
Her success has helped showcase Nigerian food on the world stage, particularly jollof rice, while encouraging young Africans to pursue ambitious goals regardless of obstacles. Guinness World Records specifically credited her with inspiring countless people to challenge themselves and attempt world records.
The announcement has generated excitement among Nigerians on social media, with many celebrating Hilda as a symbol of determination, excellence, and national pride.
Supporters have praised her consistency, noting that she transformed a single cookathon into a global brand and a movement that continues to inspire people across different industries. Many have also described her recognition as a win for Nigeria and Africa.
Twisdic Insight
Hilda Baci's story demonstrates how one bold idea can create a lasting legacy. What began as an attempt to break a cooking record evolved into a movement that inspired thousands of Africans to dream bigger and pursue global recognition.
Her latest recognition as a Guinness World Records ICON confirms that impact is measured not only by records won, but also by the lives inspired along the way.
For Nigeria, Hilda's achievement strengthens the country's image as a hub of creativity, innovation, and talent. For the global community, her story highlights how cultural heritage and passion can become powerful tools for international influence.
As one of Guinness World Records' newest ICONS, Hilda Baci now stands as a global ambassador for Nigerian cuisine and African excellence.
Sources:
- Guinness World Records
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