When Culture Meets Cuisine: Hilda Baci and Gino Break Guinness World Record with the Largest Serving of Jollof Rice
In Lagos, a city where food is more than sustenance but a language of joy, community, and pride, history was plated with every spoonful of steaming rice. Nigerian culinary star Chef Hilda Baci, in partnership with Gino Nigeria, has officially set a Guinness World Record with a staggering 8,780 kilograms of jollof rice, marking the largest serving of the iconic West African dish ever prepared.
But this was more than a culinary feat. It was a celebration of family traditions and the human spirit, with mothers, fathers, children and friends gathering around giant pots, united by the aroma of tomato-rich rice spiced to perfection. It was culture in its purest form; jollof rice, a dish that anchors weddings, birthdays, festivals and Sunday family lunches, elevated to a global stage.
The event blended the thrill of entertainment with the warmth of community: celebrities, food lovers, and everyday Nigerians sang, danced and shared plates together, turning the record-breaking attempt into a carnival of pride. Beyond the numbers and accolades, it was a reminder of how food tells our stories of resilience, togetherness, love, family-collegial-culture and a nation’s joy in celebrating its heritage.
With this achievement, Hilda Baci and Gino didn’t just etch Nigeria into the Guinness World Records; they served the world a taste of what it means to be Nigerians, a bold, flavorful and deeply rooted delicacy in families and communities.
