Hilda Baci commences attempt to cook world’s biggest pot of jollof rice

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has begun a world record attempt to cook the largest pot of jollof rice.

The attempt, which kicked off on Friday, aims to highlight Nigerian culinary culture on the global stage while uniting food lovers around the country’s most famous dish.

The free event, tagged Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci, kicked off on Friday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

Baci announced earlier that over 20,000 participants had registered, with fans and celebrities already thronging the venue.

Long queues formed outside as attendees verified their registrations, while security tried to control the surging crowd.

The giant custom-made pot measures six metres wide and six metres tall, with a capacity of 22,619 litres.

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Baci revealed that she would use approximately 5,278 kilogrammes of rice, roughly 264 bags, but later increased her target to 250 bags.

Baci, who in 2023 earned international recognition after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, said her latest challenge is not just about setting another record but also about celebrating African cuisine.

She noted that jollof rice — a dish with deep cultural roots across West Africa — has become a unifying symbol of the region’s shared heritage.

The attempt is being closely monitored by officials and will be reviewed by Guinness World Records once completed. Supporters have already begun gathering to cheer Baci on as she stirs what is expected to be the world’s biggest pot of the popular dish.