Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially recognized Nigerian chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci as a Guinness World Records ICON, honoring the cultural influence of her record-breaking achievements and her role in inspiring a wave of record attempts across Africa and beyond, as reported by The Guardian. The recognition places Hilda among a select group of globally influential figures celebrated by GWR for shaping culture, inspiring communities, and redefining what is possible through extraordinary accomplishments.
Guinness World Records described Hilda as the “queen of cooking records” and credited her with igniting a global cookathon movement following her historic cooking marathon in 2023. During that attempt, Hilda cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the previous record and attracting worldwide attention. Guinness noted that her achievement not only brought Nigerian cuisine to a global audience but also sparked a surge in record applications across Africa as thousands sought to follow her example.
Since then, Hilda has continued to expand her record-breaking legacy. In 2025, she set a new Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice, preparing 8,780 kilograms of the iconic dish and serving more than 16,000 portions. Guinness later confirmed that the feat also qualified as the largest serving of rice overall, making her a three-time Guinness World Records title holder. Her achievements have strengthened the global visibility of Nigerian cuisine while showcasing the country’s creative and entrepreneurial talent on the world stage.
For Nigeria’s creative and culinary industries, the ICON recognition represents more than a personal milestone. Analysts say Hilda’s success demonstrates how cultural entrepreneurship can generate international visibility, inspire innovation, and create opportunities for African talent in global markets. By transforming a passion for food into a globally recognized movement, Hilda Baci has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential cultural ambassadors, reinforcing the growing global appeal of Nigerian cuisine and storytelling.
