Since breaking the Guinness World Records (GWR) record for the longest cooking marathon (person) in 2023, celebrity chef Hilda Bacci has been breaking records. This time, she received a Guinness World Records ICON certificate from Guinness.
Hilda is now the first African person to be recognised by Guinness World Records as an icon.
The only other living thing in Africa with this distinction is Jonathan the tortoise, the oldest terrestrial animal and a native of the British Overseas Territory of St Helena.
The incredible people and occasions that have shaped our world are honoured by Guinness world Records ICONS.
Guinness now lists 67 people as World Records Icons on its website.
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Drake, Dolly Parton, John Cena, Usain Bolt, Mr. Beast, and numerous other international personalities are included in the list.
However, the list is regularly updated.
In 2023, 26-year-old Hilda broke the previous record by preparing over 100 pots of food during her four-day cook-a-thon.
She achieved yet another Guinness World Record in September 2025 when she made the “Largest Serving of Nigerian-Style Jollof Rice.”
The Guinness Symbol
Her most recent achievement, earning her ICON award, has earned her praise from Guinness World Records.
She affects record attempts not just in Nigeria but throughout Africa, according to a statement from GWR.
The record for the longest cooking marathon was broken in May 2023 by Nigerian celebrity chef @hildabaci.
Other Nigerians were inspired to try their own records after her 93-hour, 11-minute attempt went popular on social media. Thousands of applications were received in the months that followed. “Hilda’s endeavour had a huge impact on breaking records in Nigeria and other African nations, and her influence continues to this day.
Hilda set her second and third marks in 2025 for the largest serve of jollof rice and the world record for the largest serving of rice, weighing 8,780 kg (19,356 lb 9 oz).
Feeling pleased
Hilda Bacci responded to the honour by saying that one of the hardest things for her was to accept its reality.
In a video posted to her Instagram account, the well-known chef expressed how honoured she is to be taking this home.
I’m probably the first Nigerian to be awarded this distinction.
It is consoling to know that people like me can go through similar experiences. In the touching video, she said, “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.”
It was hard for Hilda to force herself to try the record, she said with tears in her eyes.
This plaque I’m holding devalues a part of me since it symbolises who I am.
“I’m incredibly thankful to God today that I’ve been recognised as a Guinness World Records icon and have a two or three-page spread in the Guinness Book of Records,” she said.
“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 also love that Nigeria is next to my name because this is for Nigeria. “This is for everyone,” she went on.