For Nigerian chef Hilda Baci, the last few days have been sleepless nights filled with emotion.
She had been cooking since Thursday (May 11), when she set out to set a Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon.
Joy dominated on Monday (May 15), achieving her aim in the Lekki district of Lagos, Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.
Baci cooked for the 100th hour on Monday at about 19:45 GMT, becoming a West African national sensation.
Thousands of people gathered at the scene rejoiced and sang her accolades once she stopped cooking a few minutes later.
“I just feel a lot of relief, and I’m very happy and proud.”
The response was unexpected, so that really surprised me, and I’m honestly just extremely thrilled, very pleased, and grateful, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”
Baci stated that she wanted to demonstrate how diligent and determined Nigerian teenagers are, as well as to launch a campaign for young African women who are marginalized in society.
Since she began cooking under supervision, the chef has only received five-minute breaks per hour, for a total of one hour after a 12-hour stretch, for everything else, from bathing to medical check-ups and relaxing.
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The 100-hour mark
By 3 p.m. GMT Monday (May 15), she had cooked for nearly 97 hours, breaking the world record of 87 hours and 45 minutes.
“What motivated us or me to change the hours to 100? Nothing out of the usual happened.”
“It was just my friends who talked me into it and psyched me up about how ‘you can actually do 100 hours.”
Yes, I believe it would be great if you did it.
I believe it takes longer for someone to reach 100 hours than 96 hours since it seems so much longer.’
And my brother said, “Yeah if you think you can do it, you owe it to yourself to try.”
Guinness World Records was not present, but they were aware of the chef’s ‘incredible’ attempt to break the cooking record via Twitter.
“We need to review all of the evidence first before officially confirming a record,” said the global brand.
As thousands of residents and celebrities cheered her on at the scene throughout the day and night, many more, including Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy, watched online via various streaming platforms.
Hilda Baci cooked dozens of native cuisines ranging from soups to stews and other proteins, as though the entire country of Nigeria kept the energy going.
President Muhamadu Buhari praised her for her “drive, ambition, and resilience.” Indian record holder Lata Tondon supported her as well.
Source: Africa News
