Hilda Baci, a Nigerian Chef and Entrepreneur, is close to shattering the record for the “longest cooking marathon by an individual” in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Less than 3 hours remain for the chef to create a new world record after he reached the 85-hour milestone on Monday morning.
On Thursday at precisely 4 O’clock in the afternoon, the restaurateur turned on her cooker to start the competition.
Lata Tondon, an Indian cook who achieved the feat in 2019, currently holds the Guinness World Record with her record of 87 hours and 45 minutes, which she hopes to surpass.
Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos, is hosting the event, which is being live-streamed on YouTube. Several celebrities, including Nigerians, have battled the rain to cheer up the obviously exhausted chef.
On Sunday, Baci reached the three-day mark as numerous attendees applauded.
The cook-a-thon’s Instagram account, @hildabacicookathon revealed that the event is headline sponsored by GB Foods. Other sponsors include Arla Foods, BaigeWallet, Filmhouse, Jumbo, Uber and Woodscope.
The Cookathon has garnered attention both online and at the physical venue where celebrities are trooping in to support the chef.
Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha; actress, Kate Henshaw; singer, Tiwa Savage; media personality, Enioluwa, and many others appeared at the event.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also visited the venue on Sunday to cheer up Baci.
Filmmaker, Kevin Adetiba, wrote on twitter, “REALLY rooting for HILDA BACHI. Don’t know her personally, but her drive, ambition and resilience, inspires and motivates me IMMENSELY.
“Sending her prayers and the best vibes to PUSH THROUGH. She’s inspiring people she doesn’t even know. GO HILDA… YOU GOT THIS!!!”
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, also lauded Baci for her “determination and focus.”
“The efforts being made by Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci) to beat the current Guinness World Record for cooking for 4 days nonstop shows the true Nigerian spirit of hardwork and resilience. I applaud her determination and focus on the goal, which are inspiring many Nigerian youths to live their dreams through hardwork and dedication.
“I wish her well on this noble journey to pen her name in the golden book of history. -PO,” he tweeted on Sunday.
Baci is not new to cooking competitions, she was a participant in the maiden edition of the Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021. The talented chef made Nigeria proud by winning the competition and walking away with a grand prize of $5000.