Hilda Baci opens up on pot collapse during Guinness World Record feat: ‘A blessing in disguise’

Nigerian chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has revealed how the dramatic collapse of her giant jollof rice pot shook her confidence during her historic cooking attempt earlier this month.

The incident occurred on September 12 at the World Jollof Festival in Lagos, where Hilda and her team prepared nearly 8,780 kilograms (19,356 pounds) of jollof rice in a massive six-metre-wide custom-made pot designed to hold 23,000 litres.

As the pot was being hoisted for weighing, one side suddenly gave way and the support legs collapsed. Although the structure crumbled, the food itself remained intact.

Speaking in a video interview shared on X on Tuesday, Hilda recalled the heart-stopping moment:
“When we had the mishap with the pot, my first few seconds, my heart was in my hands. I was very scared, very worried,” she admitted.

Despite the scare, Hilda said her main concern was not the record itself but ensuring that people got to enjoy the food they had worked tirelessly to prepare.

“For me, the record was not the most important thing. It was important that people got to taste and enjoy the food we had spent hours making. I would say it was a good thing that the pot caved because it made food distribution a lot easier… it was a blessing in disguise,” she explained.

Her team acted swiftly, gathering the necessary photographic and video evidence to ensure credibility. Guinness World Records later certified her as the official holder of the record for the largest pot of jollof rice cooked at one time.

Opinion:
What stands out most in Hilda’s account is not just the resilience it took to bounce back from such a dramatic setback, but the perspective she chose to embrace. Many would have seen the collapsing pot as a disaster that could ruin months of planning, but she reframed it as a “blessing in disguise.”

It’s a reminder that true leadership isn’t just about chasing accolades, but about prioritising people—even in the middle of chaos. By focusing on feeding the crowd instead of dwelling on the mishap, Hilda turned what could have been a humiliating moment into a story of triumph and adaptability.

In many ways, that pot collapse reflects life itself: sometimes our “biggest supports” give way at the most critical moment. But what matters is how we respond, how quickly we adapt, and whether we can still deliver joy to others despite the setback.

For Hilda, the Guinness certificate is historic—but her outlook, humility, and resilience may be the real record worth celebrating.