Hilda Baci Recognised As Guinness World Records Icon

Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, best known as’Hilda Baci’, has been named a Guinness World Records Icon, becoming the first Nigerian to receive the honour.

Guinness World Records announced the recognition on Thursday. The organisation said Baci earned the title for her influence on record-breaking culture and for inspiring many Nigerians to attempt world records.

The GWR Icon title is reserved for people whose achievements have made a lasting impact beyond individual records. Baci currently holds three Guinness World Records. In 2023, she set the record for the longest individual cooking marathon after cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lagos.

She later partnered with Gino Nigeria to set another record with the largest serving of rice. The jollof rice weighed 8,780 kilograms and was shared in more than 16,600 portions. In a video released by Guinness World Records, Baci became emotional as she reflected on her journey.

She said:

“I don’t know what to say… we started a movement. I did this. I don’t want to cry. It feels really good to know that things like this can happen to people like me.”

Dedicating the recognition to Nigeria, Hilda Baci said she never expected her first record attempt to have such a huge impact. She added that she never imagined it would lead to three Guinness World Records and her recognition as a Guinness World Records Icon.

“I had so much faith in what I was doing, I never saw how far it could go, I never saw how much impact it would make, I definitely did not think there would come a time I would not have one but three… and now being named a Guinness World Record Icon. I am so grateful to God. This is for Nigeria, this is for all of us”, she added.

According to Guinness World Records, Hilda Baci’s 2023 cook-a-thon became a major moment that attracted huge crowds and gained worldwide attention through livestreams.

Although her record has since been surpassed twice, the organisation said the achievement sparked widespread interest in record-breaking attempts.

It added that more than 1,500 applications were submitted from Nigeria within two months of her challenge.

The organisation wrote:

“Her epic ‘cook-a-thon’ ushered in a wave of enthusiasm for record-breaking in Nigeria: within two months, GWR had received upwards of 1,500 new applications from the country”.

Offering advice to aspiring record breakers, Hilda Baci said preparation matters more than passion alone.

She stressed the need for physical training, mental strength, proper documentation and a reliable support team. She also urged participants to fully understand the Guinness World Records guidelines.

According to Baci, consistency is more important than talent. She added that strong systems deliver better results than hard work alone, while humility helps people grow.

In her words:

“You need physical training, mental conditioning, a strong support team, proper documentation, and absolute clarity on the guidelines. Study the rules carefully and respect the process.” And crucially, “understand your ‘why’. When exhaustion hits – and it will – your reason has to be stronger than the discomfort”.

Hilda Baci said she plans to expand My Food by Hilda across Nigeria and into the United Kingdom, the United States, Dubai and South Africa. She said the goal is not only to grow the brand but also to promote Nigerian cuisine on the global stage.

Baci added that any future record attempt must have a purpose beyond testing endurance. She said inspiring others to pursue ambitious goals matters more to her.

According to the chef, records may eventually be broken. However, the confidence and motivation they inspire can have a lasting impact.

“If my journey gave someone else the courage to attempt something bold, then that means more to me than the title itself.

“Records can be broken, that’s their nature. But inspiration, the ripple effect of belief, is what truly lasts,” she concluded.