Guinness World Records has announced Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, the new record holder for the longest cooking time by an individual, with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.
The GWR, however, trimmed down Hilda’s time in her attempt to set a record of 100 hours by deducting almost seven hours from her final total because she mistakenly took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early on in the attempt.
The previous record of 87 hours 45 minutes was set by Lata Tondon (India) in 2019.
The GWR, in a statement on its website on Tuesday, said Hilda’s cook-a-thon was so popular that traffic from her fans crashed their website for two days.
“Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes,” they stated.
The 27-year-old Nigerian chef began on Thursday, May 11, and continued through to Monday, May 15, cooking over 100 pots of food during her four-day kitchen stint.
Hilda prepared for the event by creating a 35-item menu “as a guide” for every meal that she would cook.
According to the GWR, Hilda’s record attempt took the world of social media by storm, with millions in Nigeria and beyond following her progress via an Instagram live stream.
“Hilda’s cook-a-thon was in fact so popular that our website crashed for two days due to the immense volume of traffic we received from her legion of loyal fans,” the GWR stated.
They added, “Several high-profile Nigerian figures visited Hilda to support her during her record attempt, such as the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; and award-winning singer Tiwa Savage.
The GWR noted that Hilda attempted the record to “put Nigerian cuisine on the map” and “to inspire young African women to chase their dreams.”
“I also decided to break this record to truly push my limits and test my abilities,” she added.
Apple’s Bite reports that In March 2023, Baci announced she would be attempting the record for the longest cooking marathon. The record was previously held by Lata Tondon whose cooking marathon lasted for 87 hours, 45 minutes in 2019.
On 11 May, 2023, she started her record attempt titled “Cook-a-thon” She broke the record on 15 May.
On Monday May 15, 2023, at exactly 7:45 am, Hilda broke the record for longest cooking marathon by any individual hitting 87 hours 50 minutes above the previous record holder in 2019.
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Guinness World Records spokesperson released an official statement on its website saying: “We are aware of the record attempt and are looking forward to receiving the evidence for our Records Management Team to review, before we can confirm the record is official.”
To set a new record of the longest cooking marathon, Hilda was originally set to cook for 96hrs, but later extended her goal to a 100 hours cooking marathon.
High profile Nigerians who visited Hilda include Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Lead Pastor of Harvester International, Bolaji Idowu; Nigerian award-winning singer, Tiwa Savage, Tim Godfrey, Ice Prince.[25][26]
The Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo also called to cheer Hilda up during the cook-a-thon. Hilda received huge support fan base from Nigerians who trooped to the venue of the cooking competition, while others kept trending her name on Social Media.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
