Renowned Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has taken to the streets of Lagos to personally distribute hundreds of plates of Nigerian-style jollof rice to members of the public, following her heartfelt appeal to ensure that the massive quantity of food prepared during her world record attempt does not go to waste. The initiative has garnered significant attention on social media, with videos and posts capturing the scale and enthusiasm surrounding the food distribution.
The culinary event, aimed at setting the Guinness World Record for cooking the largest pot of jollof rice, was held on September 12, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The gathering attracted a diverse crowd, including food enthusiasts, prominent Nigerian celebrities such as Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, renowned dancer Kaffy, and the Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun. The event not only celebrated Nigerian cuisine but also showcased the chef’s commitment to community service and social engagement.
In a video shared on TikTok by @lwd_nni, Hilda Baci and her team were seen actively distributing the prepared rice to residents on the streets. The footage highlighted both the scale of the distribution and the excitement of the beneficiaries, many of whom expressed gratitude for receiving free meals. According to the video caption, while a portion of the jollof rice had already been served, a significant amount was later relocated to Gbagada to ensure no food went to waste. The caption read: “The jollof rice from the largest pot has been shared on the streets of Lagos. The rest has been moved to Gbagada. If you’re around, stop by and get your share so it doesn’t waste.”
Hilda Baci’s Public Appeal
Prior to taking the food to the streets, Hilda Baci took to social media to make a direct appeal to Lagos residents, urging them to come with coolers to collect food from her event. She emphasized her desire to prevent any of the food from going to waste and highlighted the quality and quantity of the meal. In her words:
“There is food, pls you guys come and get the food, it’s a lot and I can’t waste it. Pls the food is good, you come with your cooler. We still have so much food even with all the packaging, there is still much food. The venue is Eko Hotels and I won’t leave this place until everybody in Lagos taste this food.”
The public appeal and subsequent street distribution demonstrated Hilda Baci’s hands-on approach, showing her dedication not only to culinary excellence but also to ensuring her efforts benefit as many people as possible. The initiative also highlighted the importance of community-focused events in addressing food waste while providing for residents in need.
Mixed Reactions from Netizens
The distribution of the world record jollof rice drew a variety of reactions on social media. While many users praised Hilda for her generosity and commitment to sharing her culinary achievement, others raised concerns about the choice of distribution points, the accessibility of the food to those most in need, and whether the process could have been more organized. Some reactions included:
@Horlamilekan said: “Y’all should stop praising her if not because of the record she’s pursuing she won’t even think of doing that also.”
@Kuddah added: “Honestly she supposed took some of the food to the prisoners.”
@D A M £ Q commented: “If she cooked on the mainland she for no beg anyone to come eat… na that Eko Hotel cause came. The location no follow.”
@Johnson praised: “Fantastic. Good job. FGN should contract her to cook in every State once a month, to share to the poor!!!”
@Eguono Love shared: “Nigeria should be very proud of Hilda. I love how her hard work and passion for her craft helps others, whether that be creating jobs or sharing free food plus bringing Nigerians together. I am already looking forward to the next cooking challenge!”
Overall, the event successfully highlighted Hilda Baci’s dedication to both her craft and the community, inspiring both admiration and discussion online about food distribution, public engagement, and the social impact of high-profile culinary initiatives.
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@lwd_nni♬ original sound – 𝐋𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡🕸️