Nigerian Chef Hilda Baci Now Holds Guinness World Record for Longest Cooking Marathon

In May, Hilda Baci, a Nigerian chef, cooked uninterrupted for more than 93 hours, officially earning her the Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon.

Baci, 26, utilized over 100 pots and pans throughout the four-day event to "put Nigerian cuisine on the map," as she explained to Guinness. The attempt, which took place in Lekki, Nigeria, aimed to inspire young African women to chase their dreams.

The Nigerian chef prepared a collection of 35 signature dishes inspired by her mother, including jollof rice and akara. She used CCTV cameras to document the event, allowing it to be later examined by Guinness. Medical professionals monitored her vital signs and applied cold compressions to maintain her well-being.

For each record in the "longest marathon" category, participants are permitted a five-minute break per hour. If not used, these five minutes can be accumulated for a later rest period. Consequently, from May 11 to May 15, Baci could only sleep or use the restroom during these brief intervals.

Originally, Baci hoped to cook for a continuous 100 hours. However, her time was adjusted by seven hours due to an unintended extension of a rest break early in her attempt. Nonetheless, Baci still overtook the previous record set by Indian chef Lata Tondon, who cooked for 87 hours and 45 minutes in 2019.

During Baci's marathon cooking session, spectators sang and danced, while a team of assistants maintained the stock of ingredients. Notable figures, including singers, professors, and politicians like Babajide Sanwo Olu, the governor of Lagos state, also supported her at various intervals.

The public had the chance to taste Baci's food, as Guinness mandates that all prepared items must be consumed. Each pot of food yielded enough to serve up to 35 people, and any remaining food was donated to a local foundation, according to the chef.