Hilda Baci is a Nigerian chef and entrepreneur who has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual in 2023. She is also the founder and head chef of My Food by Hilda, a premium restaurant and delivery service for African and continental dishes.
Hilda Baci was born on September 20, 1996, in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, as Hilda Effiong Bassey123. She grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where she developed a passion for cooking at a young age. She was inspired by her mother, who was an excellent cook and taught her daughter how to prepare various dishes2. She completed her early education in Nigeria and obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Madonna University, Okija
After graduating from university, Hilda decided to pursue her passion for cooking and started her career as a professional chef. She began by preparing meals for her family and friends, which received rave reviews. This motivated her to start her own catering business, which she initially named Hilda’s Kitchen and later rebranded as My Food by Hilda. She showcases her cooking skills and connects with her audience through her YouTube channel and social media platforms. She also hosts cooking shows on various TV platforms, such as The Jollof Show on Africa Magic.
Hilda’s unique and creative recipes, which incorporate traditional Nigerian ingredients with modern cooking techniques, have made her a household name in Nigeria. She has been featured in several Nigerian magazines and newspapers, such as The Guardian, The Nation, Vanguard, and Pulse. She has also published several cookbooks, such as The Jollof Cookbook and The Nigerian Cookbook.
In addition to her culinary career, Hilda is also an advocate for healthy eating and has been involved in various initiatives to promote healthy eating habits among Nigerians. She has also organized cooking classes and workshops to teach people how to cook healthy and delicious meals.
In 2023, Hilda embarked on a journey to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. She started the challenge on May 11 at 4 p.m. at Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos State43. She cooked for over 88 hours non-stop, beating the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes set by an Indian chef, Lata Tondon, in 201943.
She received congratulations from President Buhari and support from several Nigerian celebrities for her achievement4. She aimed to set a new record of 96 hours but had to stop due to health reasons.
Hilda has won several awards for her contributions to the Nigerian food industry, such as the Best Chef Award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards in 2021 and the Most Influential Chef Award at the African Choice Awards in 202212. She has also been nominated for several other awards, such as the Future Awards Africa Prize for Food and Drink in 2021 and the City People Movie Award for Best New Actress of the Year (English) in 202212.
Hilda has an estimated net worth of $250,000 as of 20231. Her main sources of income are her culinary career and YouTube channel, as well as hosting cooking shows on various TV platforms. She also earns money from endorsements and sponsorships from various brands, such as Maggi, Knorr, and Indomie.
Here’s Everything to Know About Hilda Baci’s “Cook-a-thon
Her real name is Hilda Bassey Effiong, a young Nigerian chef from Nsit Ubium LGA in Akwa Ibom State. She owns a food brand in Lagos called “My Food by Hilda.” Hilda will be engaging in a remarkable culinary feat, cooking non-stop for four consecutive days. Throughout the cooking process, she is required to stand and is not permitted to sit.
To maintain her energy and bodily strength naturally, Hilda is not allowed to consume coffee, stimulants, or any energy drinks. However, she can eat food, drink water or fruit juice, and take glucose to sustain herself. The cooking event is taking place at Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Hilda’s cooking endeavor involves round-the-clock dedication without sleep. She will be cooking continuously during the morning, afternoon, evening, and night, spanning four nights without any rest. However, she is entitled to a short five-minute break every hour, which accumulates to a one-hour break every twelve hours.
According to additional sources, Hilda is granted a 30-minute break every six hours. During this break, she can relax in a nearby medical van where she can nap, use the restroom, and receive medical assessments from the available medical team.
It’s worth noting that all the food Hilda cooks are shared with the people present at the venue free of charge. She is not selling the food. Hilda has the freedom to cook various meals simultaneously, without any restrictions on the type of dishes she can prepare. The World Record title she aims to break is solely based on the time frame of continuous cooking, not the specific meals cooked. As long as she keeps cooking, she is on track.
Every meal cooked and every plate served is meticulously recorded. By the time you read this, Hilda has already cooked over 115 different meals, serving nearly 3,000 portions or possibly more. She began this remarkable cooking challenge on Thursday and aims to complete it by Monday, May 15th, 2023, in the evening.
The current record holder Hilda seeks to surpass is an Indian chef named Lata Tandon, who set a Guinness World Record by cooking for 87 hours and 45 minutes non-stop in 2019. Hilda aims to cook for a total of 96 hours, exceeding the existing record by an additional 9 hours, making her the first person to achieve such an extraordinary feat.
Hilda named this cooking project “Cook-a-Thon,” a term derived from the word “marathon.” Although Hilda appears exhausted, she is continuously encouraged and supported by the people around her. They cheer her on throughout the entire 24/7 cooking process, even during the nighttime.
Most of the food items, ingredients, utensils, and other necessities for this project are provided by Hilda’s sponsors. Thus, the financial burden of this undertaking is not solely borne by Hilda or her food brand. One of her partners, Uber, offers a 40% discounted ride to the venue for those who wish to join and cheer her on.
Hilda’s mother is also a chef and owns a food brand called “Calabar Pot.” Hilda herself is 27 years old, showcasing her passion and dedication to the culinary arts.
