Renowned Chef, Hilda Balci Sets Record For Cooking Nonstop For 4 Days

Hilda Bassey Effiong, also known as Hilda Baci, made headlines on social media after attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest culinary marathon by an individual by cooking nonstop for four days.

Hilda was apparently inspired by Indian Chef Lata Tondon, who in 2019 set a new record by cooking for 87 hours and 45 minutes. Hilda not only equaled the record, but she added an additional 13 hours and 45 minutes, bringing the total to just over a hundred hours! In the epic cook-a-thon, she prepared over 55 recipes and a variety of unique dishes to exhibit the best of Nigerian cuisine. Surely, such an accomplishment can only be accomplished by a person with extraordinary abilities that extend beyond the realm of cooking: an Idan of the kitchen.

Former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell once stated, "A dream does not become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work." Hilda's path to the Guinness World Records for the longest culinary marathon by an individual was extremely arduous and confined. She entered the game, however, completely prepared and determined to overcome challenging odds and obstacles. In preparation for the cook-a-thon, she underwent multiple training sessions to assure optimal physical fitness. In addition, she hired a personal fitness trainer and nutritionist who would ensure that she adhered to a controlled diet and exercise regimen.

When asked why she sacrificed so much freedom and enjoyment to embark on this voyage, the 26-year-old chef stated that she wanted to inspire young women in need of courageous role models to pursue their dreams.
According to her, "The purpose of the Cook–a–Thon is to encourage every young woman to pursue her ambitions. This is why I am attempting to set an example. Cook-a-Thon's triumph is a victory for young women across the continent in terms of breaking barriers and having an impact."

The enormous support Hilda received from Nigerians all over the globe during the Cook-a-Thon was another astounding aspect of the Cook-a-Thon. The Amore Gardens in Lekki, where the Cook-a-Thon took place, was packed to the brim with Nigerians from all walks of life who stood in the sun, braved heavy rain, and remained vigilant during the evenings preceding the conclusion of the historic event. Few things, other than football, have ever brought Nigerians together in the manner that has been observed recently. Indeed, it is safe to state that collectively, history was made. Even prominent politicians and personalities expressed their support for Hilda, while social media was flooded with positive comments for the young woman. The fact that Hilda received such an outpouring of support from Nigerians of various ethnicities and religions is further evidence that when we unite, we can recognize that the things that unite us are worth fighting for.

Although Hilda's attempt to break the record for the longest culinary marathon by an individual is not yet official as of the writing of this article, the Guinness World Records organization has recognized her commendable efforts. In response to inquiries from numerous concerned Nigerians, this acknowledgment has been issued. This prompted an official statement from the organization's social media account, which read, "We're aware of this amazing record attempt, but we need to review all the evidence first before officially confirming a record." Predictably, this statement did not sit well with Nigerians on Twitter, who pledged to oppose any effort to disqualify or outright deny Hilda her deserved recognition.

In the span of a single frantic week, Hilda Bassey has become a symbol of the tenacity and perseverance of young Nigerians. In spite of the enormous obstacles they face on a daily basis, Nigerian youth persevere in their pursuit of their objectives. Our leaders' overwhelming support for Hilda is commendable, but simple congratulatory messages are insufficient. There are many Hildas across the breadth and length of this country, and what they need urgently is the environment that will allow them to exhibit their talents and propel Nigeria to the forefront of global recognition. What better method is there to combat the negative and derogatory stereotypes that have been used to define Nigerians over the years?


Even before embarking on this famous journey, Hilda is said to have visited a number of brands with her proposals, only to be rejected until a few companies consented to support her endeavor. As the saying goes, the rest is history. Now, they are rushing me with endorsements. In the aftermath of Hilda's victory, many are desperately attempting to emulate her success, proving that failure is truly the world's worst orphan. Even our amicable competitors in Ghana have come forward to claim Hilda. This was comparable to amusing attempts on social media to impose Ghanaian identities on celebrities such as Victor Osimhen and Tiwa Savage.

There are numerous lessons to be learned from Hilda's Cook-a-Thon, but perhaps the most essential is that one can accomplish whatever they set out to do with little or no assistance. You must simply have faith in yourself. While we wait for the Guinness World Records to validate Hilda's excellence, young Nigerians should be encouraged to take a page from Hilda's book and pursue their ambitions with ferocious persistence, while avoiding actions that would tarnish the nation's reputation.

And the time has come for brands and individuals to refocus on exceptional demonstrations of the qualities that make us unique as a people, rather than pandering to exhausted depictions. As someone noted on social media, Hilda drew the type of massive attention to herself and her country that programs like Big Brother Naija have been unable to attract in recent years. The most recent iteration of the reality TV show that attempted to unite Nigeria and South Africa was such a dismal failure that few people are aware it concluded weeks ago!

If Hilda Bassey's monumental accomplishment is eventually confirmed by Guinness World Records, she will join a long list of Nigerians who have brought honor to their country.