Hilda Baci set to cook world’s biggest jollof pot at Lagos festival

Over 20,000 food lovers are expected to gather on Friday as celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, attempts to cook what she describes as the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

In a video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday, Baci revealed the arrival of the massive cooking pot at the festival venue. Another clip on her Snapchat story showed her praying alongside her mother ahead of the historic event.

Baci announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 participants had already registered for the event, dubbed the “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci.”

She confirmed that the festival, which kicks off at 9 a.m. on September 12, is free to attend, assuring guests they would not have to pay for the giant meal.

According to Baci, the pot—measuring six metres wide and six metres tall—will be used to cook 250 bags of rice in partnership with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.

The event is expected to draw thousands of supporters eager to witness another groundbreaking feat from the chef, who rose to global fame in May 2023 after completing a 100-hour cooking marathon in Lagos, officially recognised by the Guinness World Records.