Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci) and food giant Gino (GBFoods Nigeria) have transformed a Guinness World Records attempt into the launchpad for an ambitious national food initiative.
The duo’s feat — an 8,780-kilogram serving of jollof rice prepared during the “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci” on Victoria Island — wasn’t just about shattering records. It became a carnival of flavors, drawing thousands of cheering fans, dignitaries, and media, all eager to witness history being plated.
Gino’s full-throttle support, from providing ingredients to building a mammoth 22,619-litre pot, underscored the brand’s deeper intentions. At a post-event briefing, GBFoods executives unveiled plans for an annual jollof festival, chef training programmes, and youth empowerment projects aimed at nurturing culinary talent and promoting Nigerian gastronomy on a global stage.
The celebration wasn’t without its tense moment: the massive pot reportedly buckled during weighing when a crane attempted to hoist it. But organisers quickly reassured spectators that the mishap didn’t affect food safety or the Guinness verification process now underway.
Baci, already a household name after her 2023 Guinness cooking marathon, used the occasion to champion Nigerian cuisine as a vehicle for entrepreneurship, cultural diplomacy, and community development. “This is proof that our food and our people can set global standards,” she said, hinting at plans to take the jollof festival to multiple Nigerian cities.
Social media erupted with praise, framing the achievement as a cultural victory for West Africa’s most beloved dish. Amid the excitement, organisers cautioned fans to beware of scam giveaways falsely tied to the event, urging them to follow only verified channels.
As Guinness World Records reviews the documentation, Gino and Hilda are already working to translate viral headlines into lasting impact — from cookery scholarships to regional competitions and new product collaborations. If successful, their partnership could redefine how Nigerian food brands and chefs use record-breaking moments to fuel meaningful cultural and economic change.
