Nigerian chef and entrepreneur Hilda Baci has been named a Guinness World Records ICON, a recognition that celebrates her impact on the culinary industry and her journey from helping at her mother's restaurant as a child to becoming one of Africa's most recognizable food personalities.
The announcement was made by Guinness World Records, which highlighted Baci's achievements in cooking, entrepreneurship and digital content creation.
She first captured global attention in 2023 when she attempted the longest cooking marathon by an individual in Lagos, Nigeria. During the challenge, she cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes between May 11 and May 15, attracting widespread support from fans across Nigeria and beyond.
The event became a national sensation, drawing thousands of supporters to the venue in Lekki while millions followed online. Interest in her progress grew so rapidly that Guinness World Records said demand for updates temporarily overwhelmed its website.
Although her cooking marathon record has since been surpassed, Guinness noted that the feat cemented her status as a cultural phenomenon and helped elevate the visibility of African cuisine on the global stage.
Before her record-breaking achievement, her culinary roots stretched back to childhood. She began learning the restaurant business while assisting at her mother's establishment in Abuja, where she became known for her ability to memorize menu items and interact confidently with customers.
After studying sociology, she explored careers in television and acting, including hosting the Nigerian food show Dine on a Budget. However, she eventually returned to her passion for cooking and launched her professional culinary career in 2020.
Her restaurant, originally known as Hilda's Kitchen and later rebranded as My Food by Hilda, became a platform for her growing influence. Through cooking tutorials, recipes and food-related content shared online, she built a social media following that now reaches millions.
In recognizing her as an ICON, Guinness World Records also highlighted Baci's philosophy on success. Reflecting on lessons from her career, the chef emphasized consistency, structure and humility as key drivers of growth.
The honor comes less than a year after another major Guinness World Records achievement. In September 2025, Baci partnered with food brand Gino Nigeria to create the world's largest serving of rice in Lagos.
The record-breaking dish weighed 8,780 kilograms and required thousands of kilograms of ingredients, including basmati rice, goat meat and a specially prepared jollof pepper mix. The massive meal produced more than 16,000 servings, all of which were distributed after the event.
For Baci, whose culinary identity is closely tied to Nigerian food culture, the project carried special significance. She has frequently spoken about her love for traditional dishes, particularly jollof rice and Afang soup, both staples of West African cuisine.
The Guinness World Records ICON recognition now places Baci among a select group of individuals whose achievements have transcended record-breaking and evolved into lasting cultural influence.