Hilda Effiong Bassey (born 20 September 1996), known as Hilda Baci, is a Nigerian chef, restaurateur, actress, and the former holder of the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking (cook-athon) with 93 hours 11 minutes in May 2023, which was surpassed later that year by Irish chef Alan Fisher with 119 hours, 57 minutes.[2][3] In August 2021, she won the Jollof Faceoff competition.[4]
Early life and career
Hilda Effiong Bassey was born on 20 September 1996, and she is from the Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.[5] She graduated with a degree in sociology from Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.[6] She was the host of Dine on a Budget, a television show that airs on Pop Central TV.[7]
Baci embarked on a culinary education program, drawing inspiration from her mother, a culinary chef.[8]
In March 2023, Baci announced she would be attempting the record for the longest cooking marathon.[12] The record was previously held by Lata Tondon[13] whose cooking marathon lasted for 87 hours, 45 minutes in 2019.[14][15]
On 11 May 2023, she started her " Cook-a-thon " record attempt.[16][17] She broke the record on 15 May 2023.[18]
On Monday, May 15, 2023, at exactly 7:45 am, Hilda broke the record for the longest cooking marathon by any individual hitting 87 hours 50 minutes above the previous record holder in 2019.[19] On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Guinness World Records spokesperson released an official statement on its website saying: “We are aware of the record attempt and are looking forward to receiving the evidence for our Records Management Team to review before we can confirm the record is official.”[20]
To set a new record for the longest cooking marathon, Hilda was originally set to cook for 96 hours but later extended her goal to a 100-hour cooking marathon.[21][22][23]
Then Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo also called to cheer Hilda up during the cook-a-thon.[26] Hilda received a huge support fan base from Nigerians who trooped to the venue of the cooking competition, while others kept trending her name on Social Media.[27]
After review of videos and evidence, Guinness World Records confirmed that Baci had broken the record longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.[3][28][29][30]
In November 2023, Hilda Baci lost her Guinness World Record title for the longest cooking marathon by an individual to Alan Fisher, an Irish chef.[31][32] Fisher cooked for 119 hours and 57 minutes, surpassing Baci's previous record by more than 24 hours.[33] Fisher also broke the record for the longest baking marathon (individual) with 47 hours and 21 minutes.[34]
Baci congratulated Fisher on his achievement and said she was proud of him for breaking her record.[35]
