Hilda Baci explains how jollof pot collapse helped secure Guinness World Record

Guinness World Record holder and Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci, has shared how a mishap during her record attempt unexpectedly worked in her favour.

In a video interview posted on X, Hilda recounted the tense moment at the World Jollof Festival in Lagos on September 12, when the massive pot used for her cook-a-thon suddenly gave way.

Her team had prepared close to 8,780 kilograms (about 19,356 pounds) of jollof rice in a custom-built pot measuring six metres across and capable of holding 23,000 litres. However, while being lifted by a crane for weighing, one side buckled and the pot’s support legs collapsed.

“My heart was in my hands. I was very scared, very worried,” she said.

According to Hilda, her main concern was ensuring people got to eat the food, rather than simply securing the record. She noted that the collapse unexpectedly made distribution easier.

“For me, the record was not the most important thing. It was important that people got to taste and enjoy the food we had spent hours making. I would say it was a good thing that the pot caved because it made food distribution a lot easier… it was a blessing in disguise,” she explained.

Her team documented the entire process with photos and videos, which were later submitted to Guinness World Records. The evidence was approved, confirming her achievement for the largest serving of jollof rice cooked at once.