Celebrity master chef Hilda Baci anticipates to host 20,000 fans who have registered to watch her attempt a Guinness World Records (GWR) for cooking 250 bags of Nigerian jollof rice in the “world’s largest pot” at Eko Hotel and Suites on Friday.
A video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday showed the moment the massive pot arrived at the venue, which had to be shifted from Muri Okunola Park to Eko Hotels, both on Victoria Island in Lagos, the city where she broke the GWR for marathon cooking two years ago.
Another clip on Hilda’s Snapchat story captured her and her mother praying at the venue ahead of the event.
Hilda announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 people had registered to attend the “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci”.
She said:
The event would begin at 9am on September 12, with free attendance, and guests “certainly [would] not be paying for the amazing meal that I’m going to make for you.”
The historic attempt would feature a giant pot measuring six metres wide and six metres high, in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.
Would use 250 bags of rice to create “the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.”
The event is expected to attract a crowd of food lovers and supporters eager to witness another record-breaking feat by the sociology graduate.
Hilda made headlines in May 2023 after completing a 100-hour cooking marathon in Lagos that earned her global recognition through the GWR as well as celebrity status and sponsorships.
She has reassured fans and food enthusiasts of the hygiene of the giant pot she intends to use for her record-breaking GWR attempt.
“Yes, I can officially confirm this pot is squeaky clean! I personally rolled up my sleeves and washed it myself,” she wrote on Instagram.
“In just a few hours, this same pot will be home to thousands of servings of Nigerian Jollof history in the making.
“I know you’re probably about to pop your eyeballs out. Why is she inside the pot?” she said jokingly.
“The reason I’m inside the pot at this moment is because I need to wash the
pot.
“I can assure you that once I am done washing the interior of the pot and I’ve gotten rid of all the liquid, I’m going to rinse it again, and I have brand new mopsticks that I would be using to clean it once again before we use it to cook for you.”
Hilda promised that the pot would be fully sanitised before the cooking began and pledged to serve “the most amazing, hygienic food you’ve ever eaten.”
The event is organised in partnership with seasoning brand Gino.