Hilda Baci Officially Becomes A Guinness World Records Icon

According to Ireporter Online, Guinness World Records announced the honour on Thursday, noting that the decision was based on Baci’s significant influence on record-breaking culture worldwide and her ability to inspire a surge of record attempts, particularly across Nigeria.

The organisation explained that the GWR Icon title is reserved for individuals whose achievements extend beyond record-setting to creating lasting international impact.

Baci, who is already a three-time Guinness World Records holder, first gained global attention in May 2023 after completing the longest individual cooking marathon, lasting 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lagos.

She further solidified her record-breaking reputation in September 2025, when she partnered with Gino Nigeria to prepare the largest serving of jollof rice in Victoria Island, Lagos. The massive dish weighed 8,780 kilograms and was distributed in over 16,600 portions.

Reacting emotionally in a video shared by Guinness World Records, Baci reflected on her journey with gratitude, describing the recognition as deeply fulfilling and unexpected.

She dedicated the honour to Nigeria, expressing appreciation for the scale of impact her initial cook-a-thon attempt eventually generated, which went on to earn her three records and now the Icon title.

Guinness World Records also highlighted that her 2023 cook-a-thon became a defining moment in its history, drawing massive in-person crowds and global online viewership. Although the record has since been surpassed twice, the organisation noted that it sparked unprecedented interest, with over 1,500 applications emerging from Nigeria within two months.

Baci’s culinary journey began in her mother’s restaurant in Abuja, where she developed her passion for cooking during her early school years. After studying sociology, she briefly explored television and acting before fully transitioning into professional cooking in 2020, launching her brand, My Food by Hilda.

Offering advice to aspiring record breakers, she emphasized that success requires more than passion, stressing the importance of discipline, preparation, mental strength, proper documentation, and adherence to official guidelines. She also noted that consistency and purpose are essential, adding that understanding one’s motivation is key to enduring the challenges of record attempts.

Baci further revealed plans to expand her culinary brand across Nigeria and internationally, including the United Kingdom, United States, Dubai, and South Africa, with a vision of promoting Nigerian cuisine globally.

She concluded that while records may eventually be broken, the lasting impact lies in the inspiration and belief they create in others.