By Grace Chigbu
Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey Effiong, who owns a food brand called “My Food by Hilda” in Lagos, has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cooking marathon. The previous record was held by Indian chef Lata Tandon, who cooked non-stop for 87 hours and 45 minutes in 2019. Hilda Baci successfully cooked for 96 hours straight, with just five minutes of rest per hour, surpassing the previous record. Her achievement is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication.
The cooking marathon took place at Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria, where Hilda cooked around the clock, without any sleep and without being allowed to sit while cooking. Additionally, she was not allowed to take coffee, stimulants, or energy drinks to artificially boost her energy levels. Despite the challenges, Hilda persevered and successfully completed the task she had set out to accomplish.
Not many Nigerian’s knows that Hilda’s mother is also a chef, owning a food brand called “Calabar Pot.” Hilda is only 27 years old, and her dedication and hard work will pay off for breaking the Guinness World Record when its duly certified by the Records board. Her story is an inspiration to many, and Nigerians are hopeful that her name will be etched in the Guinness Book of World Records when everything she did has been verified and authenticated as being compliant to the process.
During the marathon, Hilda was free to cook any meal she desired, and she shared every meal she cooked with the people present at the venue for free. While she cooked, every meal and plate served were recorded, ensuring that Hilda stayed on track towards achieving her goal. She had cooked over 115 meals, with almost 3,000 portions served by the time she completed the challenge.
Hilda started cooking on Thursday and was expected to complete the challenge by Monday, May 15th, 2023 evening. During the marathon, she was only allowed a five-minute rest every hour or a 30-minute break every six hours, which she spent in a medical van nearby. In the van, she could nap, use the restroom, and get a medical check-up by the medical team present.
Throughout the marathon, Hilda was cheered on by her supporters who were present with her 24/7, even at night. Some of the food items, ingredients, and utensils used for the challenge were provided by Hilda’s sponsors, including Uber, who offered a 40% discounted ride to the venue for people who wished to join and support her.
Hilda Baci’s incredible achievement in breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cooking marathon is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. Her ability to persevere and overcome the challenges she faced during the marathon has inspired many and will continue to do so for generations to come. Congratulations, Hilda Baci, for making history and putting Nigeria on the world map of culinary excellence.
