Guinness World Records on Thursday announced Nigerian chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci as a GWR Icon, honouring her outstanding influence on the global record-breaking community and her role in inspiring widespread attempts across Nigeria.
She becomes the first Nigerian to receive the prestigious recognition, which is reserved for individuals whose achievements extend beyond record-setting to leaving a lasting global impact.
Baci, who holds multiple Guinness World Records titles, first gained global attention in 2023 after setting the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. She later added two more mass-cooking records in 2025.
Reacting in a video shared by Guinness World Records, the chef became emotional as she reflected on her journey and impact.
“I don’t know what to say… we started a movement. I did this. I don’t want to cry. It feels really good to know that things like this can happen to people like me,” she said.
She noted that although she believed in her dream, she never expected it to grow to such global recognition.
“I had so much faith in what I was doing, I never saw how far it could go, I never saw how much impact it would make, I definitely did not think there would come a time I would not have one but three… and now being named a Guinness World Record Icon. I am so grateful to God. This is for Nigeria, this is for all of us.”
Prompt News reports Guinness World Records explained that the Icon title is not just about breaking records but recognising ambition, resilience and lasting influence.
The organisation also highlighted her early life in Abuja, where she helped out in her mother’s restaurant before pursuing higher education in sociology.
After briefly exploring television and acting, she fully transitioned into cooking in 2020 and later launched her own restaurant brand.
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Her breakthrough moment came with the widely publicised cook-a-thon in Lagos between May 11 and 15, 2023, where she cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes, drawing global attention and massive online viewership.
Although her record has since been surpassed, Guinness said her attempt triggered a surge of interest, with over 1,500 Nigerians applying for record attempts shortly after.
On advice to aspiring record breakers, Baci said:
“Preparation is everything. Passion alone is not enough,” stressing the importance of training, structure, documentation and adherence to official guidelines.
She returned to record-breaking in September 2025 in collaboration with Gino Nigeria, creating the largest serving of rice in Victoria Island, Lagos, weighing 8,780 kilograms and serving over 16,600 portions.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “Consistency beats talent. Systems beat hustle. And humility keeps you growing.”
Looking ahead, Baci said she intends to expand her culinary brand internationally across the UK, US, Dubai and South Africa, while promoting Nigerian cuisine globally.
“If my journey gave someone else the courage to attempt something bold, then that means more to me than the title itself,” she said. “Records can be broken — that’s their nature. But inspiration, the ripple effect of belief, is what truly lasts.”
Guinness World Records said her achievements have not only earned her global titles but also inspired a new wave of record-breaking enthusiasm across Nigeria.
