Amid the anxious wait for the Guinness World Record to validate the record set by Nigeria’s Chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, the 27-year-old Chef has expressed optimism that her attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest hours spent on cooking by an individual will be validated because she and her team did everything by the book.
Speaking days after the milestone cooking marathon which saw her cook for 100 Hours 40 minutes to break the record currently held by Indian Chef, Lata Tondon, who cooked for 87 hours 45 minutes in 2019, Hilda expressed confidence that what she is waiting for is just the certificate.
“For me, my record has been validated. What is coming is just the certification. Do you see what we have done, this is everywhere. People are talking about Nigeria from countries we have not even heard of before.
This has gone beyond the certification and because I know in my heart that we did everything by the book, we left no stone unturned, we looked at the guidelines, we got the time keepers, we got the adjudicators; we ran their shift, we measured every single meal that we made, we have all the statistics and all the documentations, it was not a child’s play, it was a very deliberate attempt, we put in the work.
“And because I know that we did put in the work, I mean, we were live on social media platforms the entire time and for everyone who have the time to watch the entire clip from Day 1 to Day 5, they know that I did it.
“So, if the attempt is not validated by Guinness, that is their problem,” she said.
She also appeared unfazed by the attempt of a Liberian chef, Wonyean Aloycious, who has kick-started his mission to break the record set by Hilda Baci
“I have done it. He is free to try it. I didn’t do this so that nobody else can replicate it. The reason I did 100 hours is for someone else to do 110 hours, after that, someone else can do 150 hours, and on and on, it can keep going to see how far we can go and expand on what we are capable of.
“Maybe before now, it has been thought impossible for an individual to stand for 100 hours cooking. I have done it, and this means it is possible and doable.
“One of the reasons we were intentional about filming the whole thing was that when I wanted to attempt it, I went online to find videos of the previous chef who attempted it, but I could hardly find more than two to three videos.
“This is also one of the reasons I didn’t know that I could sit while cooking despite the fact that the Guinness World Record didn’t tell me not to sit. This was because the few videos I could see, she was standing. It was after the attempt that we found a clip on Twitter where she sat down, that was when it dawned on us that, oh Hilda Baci, you could have sat down!
“For me, I know somebody would want to do this after I have done it, so, what I want to do is to give you the template so you actually know what you are getting into.
“So, I wish him all the best, I have done it and I am happy for where it has gotten me and I pray it does him the same or even better.
“I just hope he has done the right documentation, and gotten GWR approval so he doesn’t go through all that stress without getting the validation from Guinness,” she disclosed.
Hilda also took the audience through her excruciating journey during the Cook-a-thon and how her body failed her but kept going on due to the support she got from the crowd who were on hand to cheer her on.
“In the beginning when I started the attempt, the first day was the hardest. I almost gave up a couple of times. As time went on, my family, friends, followers and in general the public that turned up for my attempt sort of became part of the dream and journey. Even when I wanted to give up and I saw how much people have invested their time, it dawned on me more that I wasn’t just doing this for myself.
“As soon as my 100-hour attempt was complete, I knew I couldn’t just leave without thanking everyone that supported me on this journey. Their love, presence and support were important to me both – online and offline. It helped me get through those days, those hours, those difficult moments. It was very important to me.
“I was through a lot of stress, and honestly speaking, my body didn’t feel well. My body failed me so many times, especially on the first day. Every time it did, I cried to God. I can remember that on the second day, people stayed in the rain and had an entire worship session. They stayed there, prayed and cried with me through all these hours just begging God for strength.”
She added, “I feel it was just like Nigerians watching a dream come through. Honestly, this is something that will stick with me for a long time, because there is so much negative perception about Nigerians, but truly we are such amazing people. Just give us a chance.”
Hilda’s Cook-a-thon started on the 11th of May at 4:00 pm and ended on the 15th of May at 8:40 pm. During the Cook-a-thon, Hilda prepared over 200 meals served to over 4,000 people.
Some of the highlights of the event were the devotion of Nigerians who came to support her under the rain and sunshine, cheering and praying as she powered through the attempt.
A message from the President of Nigeria; President Muhammadu Buhari, on social media to congratulate and encourage her; a call from the Vice-President of Nigeria; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, a courtesy visit from the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ooni of Ife’s youngest wife, a call from the incoming Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, made the event memorable.
Visit from celebrities and famous personalities including Tiwa Savage, Kate Henshaw, Shawn Faqua, Dremo, Charles Okocha, Segun Arinze, Sisi Yemmie, Diary of a Kitchen Lover, Ify Mogekwu, Timi Dakolo and Enioluwa, Gina Ojo, Aphro Dija, amongst others kept the 27-year old woman pumped up.
There was also a visitation from the children of Festus Fajemilo Foundation; a non-governmental organisation, raising awareness about hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida.
The Guinness Book of Records attempt will be ratified after verification of proceedings by the Official World Record Office. This will include ensuring that the attempt is well-measured, standardized, and verifiable.
Hilda’s Cook-a-thon was sponsored by her restaurant My Food By Hilda, GB Foods; makers of Gino, Gino Max, Bama and Jumbo, Woodscope, Arla, Baigewallet, Filmhouse, Uber, Monty Suites, and Culinary Arts Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAPA).
