Guinness World Records has confirmed Nigerian Chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.
From Thursday, May 11 through Monday, May 15, the Chef worked in the kitchen, preparing more than 100 pots of meals.
With the latest development, she has now beaten the Indian Chef, Lata Tondon, who formerly held the record of 87 hours 45 minutes in 2019.
Hilda made an effort to break the record by working 100 hours. She did, however, lose nearly seven hours from her total since the body claimed she unintentionally overestimated the length of one of her rest periods early in the effort.
GWR permits a competitor in all “longest marathon” records one uninterrupted hour of action followed by a five-minute rest period. If not taken, these relaxation periods can add up.
”Throughout the effort, Hilda may only rest or use the restroom during certain times. Hilda said she attempted the record to globalise Nigerian cuisine and be a source of inspiration to young African women to chase their dreams.”
”She prepared for the event by creating a 35-item menu “as a guide” for every meal that she would cook”.
”She ensured that she had the necessary ingredients to make each recipe, with her team procuring further food items while the cook-a-thon was underway “based on what was needed to be topped up.”
The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and award-winning musician Tiwa Savage were among the prominent Nigerians who came to Hilda to encourage her during her quest to break the record.