Nigerian cuisine took the spotlight in Lagos on Friday as celebrity chef Hilda Baci unveiled her Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Pot of Jollof Rice.
Baci is aiming to cook 250 bags of rice in a massive 22,619-litre pot, an ambitious feat that drew food lovers, influencers, vendors, fans and well-wishers to the venue.
Though the giant Jollof pot remained the main attraction, the gathering soon grew into a celebration of Nigeria’s cultural and culinary richness. Branded the Gino World Jollof Festival, the event featured an array of traditional delicacies.
Food stalls offered roasted plantain, roasted potatoes and fish served with pepper sauce, alongside soups and different varieties of pepper soup. Guests also enjoyed local drinks such as kunu nzaki, zobo, tigernut and soy milk, as well as small chops like puff puff, mosa and samosas, plus snacks including spiced potato chips.
Nigerian actor and content creator Charles Born applauded the initiative, describing it as a step toward greater global recognition of the nation’s food culture.
“Associating with Hilda and the brands supporting her means our food is being put on the map even more,” he said.
Vendors also highlighted the growing interest of visitors eager to discover new tastes. Zuwaira Salisu, Chief Executive Officer of Zee Foods, shared how a guest had enquired about kunu nzaki, a millet-based drink, and promised to return for a purchase after learning about its benefits.
For caterer and food enthusiast Oghene Tejiri, the festival was a chance to relish regional dishes and celebrate Nigeria’s diverse flavours.
“I moved around and just had to come to where they had the food vendors, and I got small chops. It was very, very nice. I also had their tigernuts which tasted so, so nice. Beyond Jollof Rice, we have amazing meals down to our local soups and dishes from different states,” she said.
With its blend of food, music and festivities, Baci’s record quest became more than an attempt at a world title. It doubled as a cultural showcase, underscoring her role in not just setting records but also projecting Nigerian cuisine to a global audience.
