Nigerian professional cook, Hilda Bassay Effiong, popularly called Hilda Baci, has broken the Guinness World Record for the highest time spent cooking by an individual, after she cooked non-stop for over four days.
The 27-year-old started her cooking marathon (which she named Cook – a – thon) in Lekki, Lagos State, on May 11 and completed it on Sunday, Monday, May 15, after spending 93 hours 11 minutes cooking non-stop.
The Guinness World Records on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 officially confirmed Hilda Effiong Bassey as the record breaker, for the longest cooking marathon.
“After reviewing all the footage, we’re delighted to announce that Hilda Baci is the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual)” Guiness World Records wrote on Twitter.
She challenged the current record of 87 hours held by Indian chef, Lata Tandon, since 2019.
Nigerians, including top political leaders, had showered congratulatory messages on the native of Akwa Ibom for showcasing the country’s rich cuisine and tenacity in achieving what they want.
On twitter page, the Guiness World Record explained what it takes to officially confirmed Hilda as winner.
Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was among the first big politicians to hail her, describing her triumph as remarkable.
“I congratulate Hilda Effiong Bassey on her record-breaking achievement. It was a remarkable display of the Nigerian can-do attitude and the spirit of excellence that lies within. We are all deeply proud of her,” Tinubu wrote on his Facebook page.
Also, the 2023 Presidential Elections candidate, Peter Obi, said Hilda Bacy portrayed the true spirit of hardwork and resilience of Nigerians.
“The efforts being made by Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci) to beat the current Guinness World Record for cooking for four days nonstop shows the true Nigerian spirit of hardwork and resilience… I wish her well on this noble journey to pen her name in the golden book of history,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo Olu, who was among dozens of Nigerians who showed up to cheer Bassay during her contest, also said she was puting Nigerian culture on the global map.
What about Dammy Pass?
Dammy Pass, a Nigerian chef embarked in a cooking marathon to beat Hilda Baci’s record.
As of this Tuesday morning on June 13th, 2023, Chef Dammy had completed over 105 hours -- which means she has effectively beat the record of Hilda Baci even before she was officially confirmed by the Guinness World Records. Dammy Pass started cooking on Friday and has her eyes set on reaching 120 hours. “We’re coming for the Guinness World Record,” she tweeted. It remains unclear what would happen going forward, but experts say she would become the new record breaker if the Guinness World Records reviews her cooking videos and discover she met the 120hours target. Mimi Mefo Info
