It has been confirmed by Guinness World Records that Hilda Effiong Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, has broken the record for the longest cook-a-thon (individual) with a time of 93 hours and 11 minutes.
This conclusion was reached after carefully examining all of the data.
In 2019, Lata Tondon of India established the previous record with her time of 87 hours and 45 minutes.
Hilda Baci started her cooking adventure on Thursday, May 11, and continued it through Monday, May 15. During the course of her four-day kitchen stint, she prepared more than one hundred different pots of food.
The Nigerian cook, who is 26 years old, intended to create a record by working nonstop for 100 hours; however, over seven hours were subtracted from her final total as a result of the fact that she unintentionally extended one of her rest breaks by a few minutes earlier on in the effort.
Hilda Baci confirmed by Guinness World Records for longest cook-a-thon
During the record-breaking cook-a-thon that she participated in, she was forced to adhere to certain restrictions, including the following:
At any given time, there must be the preparation or cooking of at least two different foods.
It is OK to have a sous-chef assist with the preparation of food, the washing of dishes, and the cleaning of the kitchen area, but the person seeking to break the record must do all of the cooking themselves.
According to GWR, “one of the most important rules of our food-related record attempts is that all items must be consumed after cooking.” This is one of the most important regulations for our food-related record attempts.
Hilda had extended an invitation to any and all members of the public in Nigeria to come and consume the freshly prepared meals that she had prepared. The Festus Fajemilo Foundation received all of the unused food that was left over.
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 👇 pic.twitter.com/bf352ndxWO
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) June 13, 2023
As is the case with all records claiming to be for the “longest marathon,” the competitor is allowed a five-minute break for every hour that they remain active in a row. If you choose not to take these rest breaks, they will be added to your total.
It was the only opportunity Hilda had to use the restroom or get some sleep while they were making their attempt.
Hilda Baci had told her admirers that the purpose of the quest to break the record was to “put Nigerian cuisine on the map” and “to inspire young African women to chase their dreams.”
“I also decided to break this record to truly push my limits and test my abilities,” she continued. “I wanted to see if I was capable of breaking this record.”
In order to get ready for the occasion, Hilda drafted a 35-item menu that she would use “as a guide” for all of the meals that she would be preparing.
Hilda Baci made sure that she had all of the essential components to produce each recipe, and while the cook-a-thon was in progress, her staff went out and purchased additional food items “based on what was needed to be topped up.”
During her quest to break the record, she received encouragement from a number of prominent individuals in Nigeria, including the Vice President of Nigeria at the time, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor of Lagos State at the time, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and award-winning musician Tiwa Savage.