Hilda Baci reflects on milestones, celebrates 30

Hilda Baci during #ginojolloffestwithhildabaci. Credit: Reuters

World famous chef and multiple Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has celebrated her 30th birthday with a heartfelt reflection, describing the new decade as a fresh beginning filled with gratitude and strength.

“This is 30, and it feels like stepping into a brand-new book, not just another chapter,” she shared on Instagram on Saturday.

“I carry every lesson, every tear, every win with me, but I walk forward lighter, stronger, and overflowing with gratitude to God. The woman I’ve prayed to be is the woman I’m becoming.”

Her birthday comes on the heels of yet another groundbreaking achievement. On September 15, 2025, Baci set a new Guinness World Record for preparing the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof rice. The monumental feat saw her and her team cook a pot weighing 8,000 kg (approximately 17,637 lbs), an event that drew thousands of spectators in Lagos.

The confirmation from Guinness World Records solidified her place as a trailblazer in Nigerian culinary history. This latest record builds on her earlier accomplishment in May 2023, when she cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes to set the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual — an achievement that earned her international recognition and widespread media coverage.

Baci’s remarkable journey has not only placed Nigerian cuisine on the global map but also inspired millions across Africa and beyond. As she steps into a new decade, her personal reflection mirrors the resilience, ambition, and gratitude that have defined her career so far.