The mother of Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has disclosed that prayer, fasting, and divine grace were key elements in her daughter’s recent achievement of a Guinness World Record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style jollof rice.
During an online service led by Pastor Jerry Eze on Tuesday, Mrs. Bassey, who operates the Calabar Pot restaurant in Abuja, emotionally recounted how their faith helped them navigate the stressful days leading up to the record attempt.
She expressed her initial fear when Hilda planned to cook with 250 bags of rice.
“When she showed me the pot, I was trembling. It was as large as my office. But we began to fast and pray, asking God to guide us,” she shared.
Mrs. Bassey reflected on her prayers to prevent any accidents or disasters, especially since cranes were required to lift the enormous pot and its heavy lid.
“If that pot had leaked or caught fire, it would have turned joy into calamity. But God made it happen,” she noted.
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Ultimately, the record-breaking meal consisted of approximately 200 bags of rice, 20 goats, 30 gallons of oil, and large amounts of tomato paste, which Guinness World Records confirmed weighed 8,780 kg (19,356 lbs).
She also commended her daughter’s unwavering faith. “About 40 minutes before the end, Hilda told everyone, this is the first time you’ll eat rice cooked by the Holy Ghost. That reflects her level of faith,” Mrs. Bassey remarked.
Expressing her gratitude, she proclaimed, “what God cannot do does not exist. My daughter is now a two-time Guinness World Record holder, and it’s all thanks to God.”
On Monday, Guinness World Records officially recognized the achievement on X (formerly Twitter), honoring Hilda Baci and the food brand Gino for reaching this milestone in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Hilda, who gained international recognition with her 2023 Guinness Cook-a-thon, now holds two Guinness World Records, solidifying her status as one of Nigeria’s most renowned culinary figures.
