Somto BisinaHilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, has made history by officially breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with an impressive time of 93 hours and 11 minutes.
This remarkable achievement solidifies her position as a rising star in the culinary world. Hilda, a talented 26-year-old Nigerian chef, embarked on this challenging journey on Thursday, May 11th, and persevered until Monday, May 15th, tirelessly cooking over 100 pots of food throughout the four-day marathon.
Initially aiming for a record-breaking time of 100 hours, Hilda encountered a minor setback as almost seven hours were deducted due to mistakenly taking extra minutes during one of her rest breaks early on in the attempt.
The rules of the marathon allowed Hilda a five-minute rest break for every continuous hour of cooking, which could be accumulated if not taken. These breaks were her only opportunities to attend to personal needs such as using the bathroom or grabbing some sleep.
Prior to the event, Hilda meticulously prepared a comprehensive 35-item menu as a guideline for each meal she would cook.
She ensured that all the necessary ingredients were available and her team procured additional items as needed throughout the cook-a-thon.
Hilda’s determination to push her limits and test her abilities, coupled with her desire to elevate Nigerian cuisine and inspire young African women to pursue their dreams, fueled her record-breaking attempt.
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Hilda’s cooking marathon gained widespread attention on social media, captivating millions in Nigeria and beyond.
Her progress was followed fervently through a live stream on Instagram, which generated such an overwhelming response that the official Guinness World Records website crashed for two days due to the enormous influx of traffic from her legion of loyal fans.
Throughout her journey, Hilda received support from prominent Nigerian figures who visited her, including the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and award-winning singer Tiwa Savage.
Their presence further highlighted the significance of Hilda’s accomplishment and its impact on promoting Nigerian cuisine and empowering women.
Hilda had to adhere to several rules during her record-breaking cook-a-thon. She was required to have at least two items being prepared or cooked simultaneously, and although a sous-chef was permitted to assist with prep work, washing up, and cleaning the kitchen area, Hilda herself had to perform all the cooking.
READ ALSO:Hilda Baci Extends Cook-a-Thon To 100 Hours
One crucial rule for food-related record attempts is that all items must be consumed after cooking. In line with this, Hilda extended an open invitation to the Nigerian public to enjoy her freshly prepared meals, and any leftover food was generously donated to the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, a charitable organization.
Each pot of food Hilda cooked had the capacity to serve 30-35 people, and meticulous stock control measures were implemented to minimize food wastage.
Hilda and her team aimed to make the event accessible to everyone and to provide nourishment to the less privileged.
This humanitarian aspect of the marathon underscored Hilda’s commitment to giving back to her community and using her culinary talents for the betterment of society.
Hilda Baci’s record-breaking achievement not only places her in the annals of culinary history but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring chefs and young women across Africa.
Through her determination, skill, and unwavering passion for Nigerian cuisine, Hilda has elevated the nation’s culinary heritage onto the global stage. Her remarkable feat has proven that with dedication and a dream, one can overcome any challenge and achieve extraordinary success.
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