Meet Hilda Baci: The Nigerian Chef Who's Redefining Culinary Records

Nigerian celebrity chef and double Guinness World Record breaker Hilda Baci has sparked the culinary world with her remarkable feats. [It's] my love for money and the good things in life, the 30-year-old cheerfully admits during a conversation from Lagos.

Baci, who recently changed the spelling of her last name from Bassey, thrives on her fame and has embraced the spotlight, emerging as one of the most celebrated figures in Nigeria's culinary scene. But amidst her fame lies a strategic businesswoman devoted to building a brand under 'My Food by Hilda', which boasts over one million social media followers.

Her journey began in Calabar and transformed in Abuja, where her mother ran a popular eatery. Baci's early exposure to the food industry shone through her vibrant personality and keen business sense, traits that now define her culinary legacy. In 2023, she made headlines with a four-day cook-a-thon that broke a world record, generating nationwide excitement and captivating politicians and celebrities and recently achieved another major milestone by cooking more than 8.7 tonnes of jollof rice in a single pot.

Baci's success is not just a product of chance; it is the culmination of detailed planning and hard work. She envisioned her jollof rice record more than a year prior to the event, considering how such records would impact her business and brand significantly.

With clear ambitions for her brand's future, she dreams of establishing "My Food by Hilda" outlets globally, aiming to put Nigerian cuisine on the international culinary map alongside other world food giants.

Her story is one of resilience, recognition, and a desire to make Nigerian culture and cuisine prominent worldwide. Baci muses, I want to build a legacy that will last for generations, outlining her goal to ensure her signature dishes, including coconut rice, are household staples across the globe.