Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has broken the Guinness World Record for the “longest cooking marathon by an individual”.
An Indian chef, Lata Tondon currently holds the world’s longest cooking marathon and she completed the task in 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 secs in Rewa, India in 2019.
The chef, on Monday morning, smashed the 87 hours 45 minutes record set by now-former Guinness World Record holder, Lata Tondon.
The chef launched into the competition on Thursday at exactly 4pm when she put on her cooker.
Hilda carries on despite having broken the record as she aims to cook for 96 hours, setting a new world record as the first human on earth to spend such an amount of time cooking.
On why she embarked on the task, Baci said it is one of her biggest aspirations, adding that it is also an opportunity to tell some positive stories from Africa through the meals that we eat.
Hilda Baci said; “The journey to the cook-a-thon started five years ago. It is one of my biggest aspirations and I am glad that I took the bold step to embark on this adventure. I have taken time to prepare for this psychologically and I am proud to finally take on this challenge.”
“The cook-a-thon is also an opportunity to tell some of the positive stories that come from Africa through the meals that we make.”
“This attempt is also proof of the strength young people can exhibit with the right platform and support. I look forward to receiving support from people across the world to achieve this feat,” she said.
Hilda Baci has continued to receive a wave of support from government officials, celebrities, clerics, and other well-meaning Nigerians.
Nigerians stood by her despite a heavy downpour in the wee hours of Monday. They cheered and encouraged her to keep going.