Femi Ashekun/
Nigerian chef and culinary star, Hilda Baci, lit up Lagos yesterday night with her audacious Guinness World Record attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, a staggering 22,619 litres of Nigeria’s favourite dish.
The spectacle, hosted at Eko Hotel and Suites, saw Baci and her team stir 200 bags of rice in a custom-made pot that drew over 20,000 spectators, including celebrities like Funke Akindele and musician, Falz.
It was a carnival of food, music, and national pride, as Nigerians cheered on what could become another global milestone for local cuisine.
But the night took an unexpected turn. As a crane lifted the massive pot for the crucial weighing required for Guinness certification, the giant vessel buckled under its own weight and collapsed, sending shockwaves through the crowd.
Gasps and screams filled the venue, but event staff quickly moved in to restore order, preventing injuries.
Clips of the dramatic collapse went viral within minutes, sparking both concern and comic commentary online. Still, the mood remained festive.
“Safety was our priority, and the record attempt will proceed for certification,” a member of Baci’s team assured, adding that the evidence gathered would be reviewed by Guinness officials.
Far from ending the party, the setback became just another twist in what was already a remarkable feat. Serving of the jollof rice stretched into daybreak, with thousands of portions dished out to an eager and jubilant crowd.
Guinness World Records itself weighed in with a playful note on social media, “What’s cookin’? Best of luck to @hildabacicooks who’s attempting a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice today.”
For fans, the minor mishap did nothing to overshadow Baci’s achievement. “She’s put Nigerian jollof on the global stage again; this is history,” one excited attendee gushed.
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