Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has shared the reason behind her decision to prepare 200 bags of rice rather than the initially planned 250 in her latest bid to set a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof rice.

Baci, who shot to fame in 2023 with her record-breaking cook-a-thon, kicked off her new challenge at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, attracting a massive turnout of food lovers, celebrities, and dignitaries.

The three-day event has been festive in nature, featuring music, dancing, and appearances from notable personalities such as actress Funke Akindele, dancer Kaffy, and Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun.

Speaking at the venue, Baci explained that her decision was based on technical constraints. She noted that the weighing crane and scale designed to measure the final dish had a maximum limit of 20,000 kilogrammes, including the weight of the custom-built cooking pot.

“When we started, we weighed the pot. By the time I was done making 5,000 kilogrammes, I was aiming for 17,000 to 18,000 kilogrammes, which with the pot totals around 20,000. The crane and measuring equipment can only handle 20,000 kilogrammes. To be safe, I had to reduce the rice slightly, so I cut it down by about 1,000 kilogrammes,” she explained.

She further revealed that the 200 bags of rice cooked still amounted to 4,000 kilogrammes, enough to feed 20,000 people.

“This 4,000 kilogrammes of rice will feed 20,000 people. So, we’re still up there,” she added with a smile.

Baci described the challenge as the most ambitious project of her career, revealing that it took nearly a year of preparation.

“Honestly, it was hectic. From fabricating the giant pots—which took about two months—to planning the event for nine months and then cooking for nearly nine hours, it was a huge task,” she said.

Despite the stress, she called the process rewarding. “It was challenging but very exciting. We’re still distributing food to ensure everyone eats to their satisfaction. I’m happy with how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved today.”

Interestingly, Baci revealed that the idea wasn’t originally conceived as a Guinness World Record attempt but rather as a massive food experience for Nigerians.

“When I first thought of this, it wasn’t about breaking records. It was more about feeding people and bringing everyone together,” she said.

Social media buzzed with excitement as Guinness World Records shared a video of the event, cheering her on and wishing her luck in her new attempt.

This comes just two years after Baci’s famous cook-a-thon earned her global recognition and inspired a new wave of young Nigerians to embrace the culinary industry.