Posted by Chinenye on Fri 19th Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
Celebrity chef Hilda Baci has reached another global milestone after being honoured with a Guinness World Records ICON certificate, placing her among a select group of influential record holders worldwide.
(Hilda Baci. Photo by Leadership News)
Celebrity chef Hilda Bacci has been smashing records ever since she achieved the Guinness World Records (GWR) record for the longest cooking marathon (individual) in 2023.
This time, Guinness has awarded her a Guinness World Records ICON certificate.
With this accolade, Hilda has become the first African person to be named an icon by Guinness World Records.
Jonathan the tortoise, the oldest terrestrial animal and resident of the British Overseas Territory of St Helena, is the only other living creature in Africa to hold the title.
Guinness planet Records ICONS honors the amazing individuals and events that have shaped our planet.
On its website, Guinness now names 67 individuals as World Records Icons.
Global celebrities like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Drake, Dolly Parton, John Cena, Usain Bolt, MrBeast, and many more are on the list.
The list is, nevertheless, frequently updated.
During her four-day cook-a-thon in 2023, 26-year-old Hilda set a new record by cooking more than 100 pots of meals.
In September 2025, she set even another Guinness World Record by preparing the "Largest Serving of Nigerian-Style Jollof Rice."
Guinness also disclosed in January that Hilda had broken the previous record for the biggest serving of jollof rice.
Guinness Symbol
Guinness World Records has commended her on one of her most recent accomplishments: obtaining her ICON certificate.
According to a statement from GWR, she has an impact on record attempts throughout Africa, not only in Nigeria.
In May 2023, Nigerian celebrity chef @hildabaci broke the record for the longest cooking marathon.
Her 93-hour, 11-minute attempt went viral on social media, encouraging other Nigerians to try their own records. In the months that followed, thousands of applications were submitted.
"Hilda's endeavor had a significant impact on breaking records in Nigeria and other African nations, and her influence continues to this day.
With a weight of 8,780 kilos (19,356 lb 9 oz), Hilda set her second and third records in 2025 for the largest serving of jollof rice and the overall record for the largest serving of rice.
Feeling proud
In response to the honor, Hilda Bacci stated that accepting its reality was one of the most difficult things for her.
The famous chef stated that she feels honored to be taking this home in a video that she shared on her Instagram site.
I'm most likely the first Nigerian to receive this honor.
Knowing that folks like myself may experience such things is comforting. In the poignant video, she stated, "People see me taking pictures and going to fun events, but I promise you, there was once a time when I had gotten to a level where I thought my dreams could never come true."
Hilda expressed with tears in her eyes that it was difficult for her to push herself to try the record.
A part of me devalues this plaque I'm holding because it represents me.
I don't always listen to what people have to say about me, my accomplishments, and the things I've accomplished because I find it difficult to accept that it is me.
"I'm incredibly thankful to God today that I've been recognized as a Guinness World Records icon and have a two or three-page spread in the Guinness Book of Records.
Additionally, I adore that Nigeria appears next to my name because this is for Nigeria. This is for everyone," she continued.