Nigerian chef and restaurateur Hilda Baci has been named a Guinness World Records (GWR) ICON, in recognition of her remarkable achievements and lasting impact on the culinary world.

The honour celebrates Hilda’s inspiring journey from helping at her mother’s restaurant in Abuja as a child to becoming one of Africa’s most recognised culinary figures on the global stage.

According to Guinness World Records, Hilda discovered her passion for cooking at an early age while assisting in her family’s restaurant. She later studied Sociology before exploring careers in television and acting, including hosting the Nigerian cooking show Dine on a Budget. However, her passion for food ultimately led her to become a professional chef in 2020.

She subsequently launched her restaurant, Hilda’s Kitchen, now known as My Food by Hilda, while sharing recipes and cooking tips online. Her engaging content quickly attracted millions of followers across social media, establishing her as one of Nigeria’s leading food entrepreneurs.

Hilda gained international recognition in May 2023 after completing a historic cooking marathon that lasted 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lekki, Lagos. The feat earned her the Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon at the time and drew widespread attention from across the globe.

The event captured the imagination of millions of supporters, with thousands gathering at the venue to cheer her on while many more followed the attempt online. Guinness World Records noted that the overwhelming global interest in Hilda’s challenge generated such heavy traffic that its website temporarily experienced disruptions as supporters eagerly awaited updates.

Although the cooking marathon record has since been surpassed, Guinness World Records says Hilda’s achievement remains one of the most memorable moments in the organisation’s history due to its global impact and the inspiration it provided to aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs.

In September 2025, Hilda added another Guinness World Record to her name after partnering with Gino Nigeria to prepare the world’s largest serving of rice. The record-breaking dish weighed an astonishing 8,780 kilograms and was prepared in Lagos using thousands of kilograms of rice, goat meat and her signature jollof pepper mix.

More than 16,600 portions of the meal were distributed after the event, ensuring that none of the food went to waste. Guinness World Records described the achievement as another demonstration of Hilda’s commitment to promoting Nigerian cuisine while bringing communities together.

Reflecting on the lessons she has learned throughout her journey, Hilda credited her success to consistency, discipline and humility. She encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to remain focused on continuous growth, emphasising that perseverance is often more important than natural talent.

Looking ahead, Hilda says she hopes to expand My Food by Hilda beyond Nigeria into international markets, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Dubai and South Africa. Her vision is to showcase authentic Nigerian cuisine to a global audience while serving as a cultural ambassador for African food.

Her recognition as a Guinness World Records ICON not only celebrates her personal achievements but also highlights the growing global appreciation of Nigerian cuisine and Africa’s creative talent.


TNAM
By Egwu Patienece Nnennaya
Monday June 22, 2026.