…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Renowned Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has expressed confidence that she has broken the record for the longest cooking period by an individual.
She is currently awaiting official confirmation from Guinness World Records, hoping to surpass the previous record set by Indian chef Lata Tondon, who cooked for 87 hours and 45 minutes.
Hilda Baci recently achieved the feat of breaking the longest cooking period by an individual during a cooking program she called Cook-a-thon.
Although she is still awaiting validation, she firmly believes that her record has already been validated and is now awaiting certification.
In an interview with Daily Trust, Baci expressed her conviction, stating, “To me, my record has been validated.
What is coming in is just a certification.
I mean, do you see what we have done? This is everywhere.
People are talking about Nigeria from countries that we don’t even know existed.
What more do you want? It goes beyond the certificate, and it has gone way beyond the plaque.
I also know in my heart that we did everything by the books.
We made sure that we left absolutely no stone unturned when we looked at the guidelines.”
Baci emphasized the meticulousness of the record-breaking attempt, mentioning the presence of timekeepers and adjudicators, as well as the careful measurement of every meal, yield, and statistical documentation.
She highlighted the extensive effort put into the endeavor and the fact that the entire process was livestreamed, providing undeniable evidence of her achievement.
Regarding the Liberian chef, Wonyean Aloycious, who has expressed a desire to challenge her cooking record, Baci welcomed the competition, stating that she did not break the record to prevent others from reaching it.
She encouraged Aloycious to attempt it, explaining, “You do 100 so that somebody else will do 110.
That person that does 110 does it so that the next person will do 150.
We will just keep increasing the number, seeing how far we can go and expanding on what we are capable of.”
Baci emphasized the importance of documenting the entire process to provide a template and insight for future challengers.
She acknowledged the lack of available videos of previous chefs attempting the record and the impact it had on her own attempt, stating, “For me, I knew that somebody else would want to do this after I have done it.
So, I want to give you the template, I need you to see what it takes, so you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
While awaiting official confirmation, Hilda Baci remains confident in her accomplishment and hopes that her record will inspire others to push their limits and explore new possibilities in the culinary world.