JUST IN: Aerial Overview of Hilda Baci's Largest Pot of Jollof Rice Exercise in Lagos Surfaces [Photos]

Yesterday, September 12, 2025, our Akwaibom celebrity chef Hilda Baci at the bustling Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, orchestrated what is poised to become a Guinness World Record-breaking feat: the world's largest pot of jollof rice.

The event, initially planned for the public Muri Okunola Park but relocated to the hotel’s car park due to logistical and regulatory concerns, drew over 20,000 spectators. Despite the controversy surrounding the venue change, Baci’s meticulous preparation and unyielding determination turned the Gino World Jollof Festival into a triumphant showcase of culture and ambition, poised to secure her another Guinness World Record.

Hilda Baci’s path to this monumental event began a full year earlier, in September 2024, when she announced her ambition to break the record for the largest pot of jollof rice. The 28-year-old chef, already a global sensation for her 93-hour cooking marathon in 2023, approached the challenge with characteristic precision. Her preparation was a masterclass in planning, blending culinary expertise, logistical coordination, and cultural sensitivity.

The centerpiece of the event was a colossal custom-made steel pot, measuring six meters in diameter and six meters in height, with a capacity of 23,000 liters. Commissioned in early 2025, the pot took two months to fabricate, requiring collaboration with local engineers to ensure it could withstand the heat and volume needed for cooking approximately 250 bags of rice.

Baci’s team, consisting of over 300 assistants, began rigorous training months in advance, practicing ingredient measurements and cooking techniques to maintain the authentic flavor profile of Nigerian jollof rice.

She personally oversaw the sourcing of ingredients, securing 4,000 kilograms of basmati rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, 600 kilograms of onions, and precise quantities of spices, including thyme, curry, and bay leaves, in partnership with Gino, the event’s sponsor.

Logistical planning was equally intensive. Originally set for Muri Okunola Park, a public venue chosen to reflect jollof rice’s communal significance, the event faced a setback when Lagos authorities cited crowd control and safety concerns, mandating a move to the more contained Eko Hotel grounds. Baci adapted swiftly, reconfiguring her plans to accommodate the new venue while ensuring accessibility through free food distribution and community outreach. She coordinated with local vendors, security teams, and media outlets, while also arranging live entertainment and celebrity appearances to elevate the festival atmosphere.

Days before the September 12 event, Baci according to reports, demonstrated her hands-on leadership by personally overseeing the cleaning of the massive pot. On September 10, aerial footage captured her at the Eko Hotel site, clad in work gear, scrubbing the interior of the six-meter-wide vessel alongside her team.

This step was critical to ensure hygiene, as the pot’s size and unique design posed challenges for thorough cleaning. Using industrial-grade cleaning agents and high-pressure hoses, Baci ensured every surface met food safety standards. “Hygiene is non-negotiable,” she told reporters, emphasizing that the authenticity and quality of the jollof depended on a spotless cooking environment.

This labor-intensive process, completed over several hours, set the stage for the cooking marathon and underscored her commitment to excellence.

On the morning of September 12, the Eko Hotel car park buzzed with anticipation. Aerial views showed the pot, now gleaming, surrounded by a sea of colorful tents, food stalls, and enthusiastic attendees.

Baci’s team methodically loaded the ingredients, with drones capturing the rhythmic pouring of rice, tomato paste, and spices.

Baci applied “mathematics” to perfect the recipe, calculating ratios to ensure the dish retained its signature smoky, spicy flavor despite the unprecedented scale. The pot, filled to 80% capacity, simmered for hours under her watchful eye, with massive wooden spatulas stirring the mixture to prevent burning.

Guinness World Records adjudicator Mark McKinley observed the process, noting the precision as evidence for the record attempt.

The festival itself was a cultural extravaganza, featuring live music, dance performances, and appearances by celebrities like Veekee James and Enioluwa including Pellar.

Despite the venue change sparking initial criticism for limiting public access, Baci ensured inclusivity by distributing free servings of the jollof to attendees and donating surplus portions to nearby communities.

The aerial perspective highlighted the scale of her achievement to wit: a united crowd, a steaming pot, and a shared celebration of Nigerian identity.

It's worth noting that our Hilda Baci’s journey from a food influencer to a record-breaking chef offers profound lessons for women who might prioritize fleeting beauty over substance: enduring wisdom, hard work and true empowerment blooms from the soil of perseverance and skill, not the shallow roots of vanity.

Her success was not built on superficial charm nor "ladies' protruding back et front side" but on a foundation of intellectual rigor seen in her mathematical approach to scaling recipes and relentless effort, from washing the pot to orchestrating a year-long project.

In a social media-driven world that often glorifies appearances, Baci’s story is a reminder that true impact comes from dedication and skill. The aerial view of her massive pot, surrounded by thousands, symbolizes more than a culinary feat; it’s a call to young women to invest in their talents, embrace challenges, and build legacies through perseverance.

As the world awaits Guinness World Records’ verdict, Hilda Baci has already proven her recipe for success: a blend of vision, hard work, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.

Her largest pot of jollof rice is not just a dish - it’s a monument to what women can achieve when they prioritize substance over surface. And she's obviously inspiring a generation to stir their ambitions with purpose.

ENB do celebrate and wish her the very best as she keeps shining.