Hilda Baci set to lose Guinness World Record title barely hours after certification

Barely hours after the Guinness World Record finally certified Nigerian chef, Ms Hilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, for the longest solo cooking record of 93 hours 11 minutes, the Akwa Ibom-born culinary celebrity is set to lose the record.

GWR, Tuesday, announced the certification of Hilda Baci’s time originally thought to be 100 hours but now for  93 hours 11 minutes, after nearly one month since the record was set in Lagos during a four-day non-stop cooking marathon in May, this year.

“Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.

“After reviewing all the footage, we’re delighted to announce that Hilda Baci is the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual).

“Watch the video to find out the official time we’ve awarded Hilda and read the full explanation below,” GWR confirmed in a tweet, Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, barely hours after the certification, Baci record may not stand for long as another Nigerian chef, Ekiti-based Ms Damilola Adeparusi, weekend, commenced a 120-hour solo marathon cooking record to beat the 100-hour mark set by her compatriot.

Already, Ms Adeparusi from Oye Local Government Area in Ekiti, as at Tuesday afternoon, has clocked over 105 hours in the kitchen as she attempts to set a new time for the longest cooking by an individual in the world.

In May, Oracle Today recalls that, the Guinness World Records said it was still reviewing the feat set by Ms Bassey, after breaking the longest cooking marathon record held by an individual previously set by Indian, Lata Tondon in 2019 for 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds in Rewa, India, in 2019.

In response to an inquiry over why it is yet to record the feat on its site, the Guinness Book of Records wrote on their official Twitter handle; “We’re aware of this amazing record attempt, we need to review all the evidence first before officially confirming a record.”

On achieving the 100 hour-feat, Hilda Baci was hailed by notable personalities, including now former President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among a host of other celebrities.

Indigenous carrier, the Dana Air, in recognition of Hilda Baci’s feat, offered the chef one year of free flight on its carrier on all its domestic routes.

The airline also offered Hilda’s mother three months of free tickets for all its domestic routes.

Speaking, on support for Hilda Baci, the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Ememobong Ettete, said the airline has and will always support the craft, creativity, efforts, and innovations of young Nigerians who embody the true Nigerian spirit as a proudly Nigerian brand.

“We have always blazed the trail in terms of support for the arts and entertainment industry, health care, and culture and our corporate social responsibility has been all-encompassing.

“We will be supporting Hilda’s local travels for one year and We are inspired by her strength and determination for greatness. We understand her mum is also a chef and she must have gotten this inspiration from her and in the light of this, we shall be supporting her mum with 3 months of local flights for free. We thank Hilda’s mum for giving us an amazing daughter and for being a huge support system to Hilda.’

“We thank all those who came out to dispassionately support one of our own. You are the real MVP,” he added.

Ms Bassey began the cooking challenge on Thursday, May 11 through to early Monday, May 15.

As it is, the current record for the world’s longest cooking marathon is now Ms Bassey after officially displacing India’s Tondon, who completed the task in 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds, in 2019.

The Nigerian chef had previously set 96-hour target for herself after breaking Indian chef, Lata Tondon’s 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds record set in 2019.

Hilda Baci was initially scheduled to stop at 4 pm Nigerian time culminating into her former 96-hour target but stopped at 8 pm to achieve a 100-hour target.

Elsewhere around the world, a chef from Liberia and another from Kenya have also announced their intentions to set a marathon cooking record following the feat by Ms Bassey.

Kenyan chef, Maliha Mohammed has said she will attempt to break the record set by Nigeria’s Bassey on August 11, this year, when she kicks off her challenge. She sent an application for her record attempt in December, last year.

In August 2019, she broke the previous Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual for cooking for 75 hours non –stop.

Chef Mohammed will now attempt to break the record later this year.

Also, Liberian chef, Wonyean Aloysius Gaye has announced plans to break Hilda Baci’s GWR of 100 hours which he said will commence in November, this year.

Hilda who was born on September 20, 1996, holds a First degree in Sociology from the Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.

She’s also appeared in multiple Nigerian TV shows and movies. She played a supporting lead character in the movie “Dream Chaser,” and appeared in some episodes of Sideways, Flatmates, A Walk on the Water, and Mr & Mrs Robert.