Media Team
Renowned Nigerian chef Hilda Baci, celebrated for her Guinness World Record achievement, recently shared her emotional reaction after her colossal pot of jollof rice suddenly gave way during her groundbreaking attempt.
The unforgettable moment occurred during her quest to cook the biggest pot of jollof rice ever recorded, when the massive custom-built vessel buckled just before the official weighing.
In a candid interview clip posted on X, Hilda revealed how the unexpected mishap momentarily rattled her.
“My heart nearly stopped when the pot collapsed. For those first few seconds, I was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty,” she admitted.
Despite the setback, Hilda emphasized that ensuring attendees enjoyed the meal was her top priority—not just breaking the record. Surprisingly, the accident streamlined serving the enormous batch.
“The record mattered, but tasting the jollof rice we poured hours of effort into was far more meaningful.
“In hindsight, the pot failing was a blessing—it simplified sharing the food with everyone,” she reflected.
The incident took center stage at Lagos’ World Jollof Festival on September 12, where Hilda and her crew prepared a staggering 8,780 kg (nearly 19,356 lbs) of jollof rice in a mammoth 6-meter-wide pot engineered to hold 23,000 liters.
As the crane lifted the pot for weighing, its structural supports suddenly failed, though the rice inside stayed unharmed.
Undeterred, her team submitted detailed photo and video documentation to Guinness World Records, ultimately securing her place in history.
Hilda recounted how they swiftly adapted, ensuring proper verification despite the unforeseen challenge.
