Born on September 20, 1996, in the vibrant state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as the multi-talented Hilda Baci, is a force to be reckoned with. With her flair for acting, culinary expertise, and the proud ownership of the renowned restaurant “My Food by Hilda,” she embodies true greatness.
On May 11, 2023, Hilda Baci embarked on a courageous mission to shatter the Guinness World Record for the “longest cooking marathon” by an individual. This illustrious title was previously held by Indian chef Lata Tandon, who dazzled the world with her 87-hour and 45-minute cooking spectacle in Rewa, India, back in September 2019. Determined to outshine Tandon’s feat, Hilda Baci kick-started her epic “cook-a-thon” in the heart of Lagos.
Surpassing Tandon’s remarkable achievement, Hilda embarked on a culinary journey that spanned an astounding 100 hours. With the magnificent Amore Gardens in Lekki as her backdrop, she cooked tirelessly, fueled by the infectious energy of an enthusiastic crowd that included adoring fans and notable celebrities.
Guinness World Records, the venerable publication that chronicles extraordinary human accomplishments and remarkable natural phenomena, has yet to officially confirm Hilda Baci as the new holder of this coveted title. Nevertheless, the organization acknowledged her monumental cooking spree in a statement, expressing their anticipation for the evidence required to validate her record.
Taking to Twitter, Guinness World Records stated, “We are looking forward to receiving the evidence for our Records Management Team to review before we can confirm the record is official.” Despite this acknowledgement, the aftermath of Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon has been marked by a resounding silence, triggering curious inquiries from Nigerians on Twitter regarding the award process. In particular, concerns have been raised about the timeline for the verification and validation of record-breaking activities by Guinness World Records.
But how long does it actually take for Guinness World Records to authenticate such feats? While the exact duration for verification remains variable, the official website of the organization indicates that the standard application process typically spans up to 12 weeks due to the high influx of submissions. Moreover, during periods of heightened demand, this waiting period may be further extended.
Drawing from the experience of Lata Tandon, who graciously shared her insights during an Instagram live broadcast at the pinnacle of Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon, it was revealed that it took approximately two months for Guinness World Records to certify her record before she was duly honored.
Meanwhile, as the world eagerly awaits the official certification, Hilda Baci recently took to her Twitter page to voice her anticipation and apprehension. In a candid moment, she humorously confessed, “Not me refreshing my email every second since we submitted all the evidence to Guinness World Records…”
The world now watches with bated breath as Hilda Baci, the culinary maestro, stands on the precipice of achieving culinary immortality, hoping that Guinness World Records will soon bestow upon her the recognition she so rightfully deserves.
