More than three years after captivating millions around the world with her historic cook-a-thon, Nigerian culinary star Hilda Baci has added another remarkable milestone to her growing list of achievements.
The celebrated chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur has officially been named a Guinness World Records ICON, a recognition announced by Guinness World Records on Thursday, June 18, in honour of her extraordinary contributions to record-breaking and her influence across Africa and beyond.
Hilda, whose 93-hour, 11-minute cooking marathon in May 2023 became a global sensation, captured the imagination of millions and sparked an unprecedented wave of record-breaking attempts, particularly among young Africans eager to push boundaries and showcase their talents on the world stage.
Her feat, which earned her the Guinness World Records title for the longest cooking marathon by an individual at the time, dominated conversations on social media and attracted support from celebrities, politicians and fans across the continent.
What made her achievement even more remarkable was the ripple effect it created. In the months that followed, thousands of people across Nigeria and other African countries submitted applications to Guinness World Records in hopes of setting records of their own.
For many, Hilda's success represented more than a personal achievement. It became a symbol of determination, ambition and the belief that Africans could make history on the global stage.
According to Guinness World Records, the impact of her record attempt on the record-breaking culture across Africa was profound and continues to inspire aspiring achievers to this day.
Hilda's journey to global recognition began long before her famous cook-a-thon. Growing up, she spent time assisting at her mother's restaurant in Abuja, where her sharp memory, charisma and passion for food quickly became evident.
Although she later studied sociology and explored opportunities in television and acting, her love for cooking eventually took centre stage. In 2020, she launched her professional culinary career and established Hilda's Kitchen, now known as My Food by Hilda, while steadily building a loyal following through engaging food content on social media.
Her rise to international fame reached new heights in 2023 when she embarked on the marathon cooking challenge in Lagos, an event that attracted worldwide attention and reportedly caused a surge in traffic to the Guinness World Records website.
While her cooking marathon record has since been surpassed, Hilda has continued to push boundaries.
In September 2025, she secured two additional Guinness World Records titles after preparing the largest serving of jollof rice and the largest serving of rice ever recorded. The massive dish weighed an astonishing 8,780 kilograms and was prepared in partnership with Gino Nigeria at Victoria Island in Lagos.
The record-breaking meal, which featured tonnes of basmati rice, goat meat and her signature pepper mix, fed more than 16,600 people.
Despite her growing fame and numerous accolades, Hilda remains grounded in the principles that have guided her journey.
"Consistency beats talent. Systems beat hustle. And humility keeps you growing," she said.
Today, Hilda Baci's story stands as one of Africa's most inspiring success narratives, proving that passion, perseverance and purpose can transform a childhood love into a movement capable of inspiring an entire continent.
