Nigerian chef Hilda Baci made headlines on 12 September 2025 when her attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for cooking the largest pot of jollof rice ran into unexpected trouble After cooking more than twenty two thousand litres of jollof rice the final stage required the pot to be weighed During the process of lifting the massive cooking pot collapsed The dramatic scene quickly went viral and sparked widespread conversation raising questions about preparation planning and the future of her record submission .
What Happened The Collapse
After hours of continuous cooking at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos the jollof rice was finally ready A crane had been brought in to lift the gigantic pot so that the full weight could be recorded as part of Guinness World Records requirements The lift began but the pot which held rice and its contents gave way under its own weight and collapsed before the process could be completed The attempt to weigh the pot was immediately stopped to prevent further damage This sudden collapse cast doubt on whether Guinness World Records could still verify the attempt since accurate weighing is one of the key steps in confirming such a record .
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Scale and Setup
The scale of the project was immense The specially constructed pot was reported to hold more than twenty two thousand litres and Hilda had announced plans to use around two hundred and fifty bags of rice along with other ingredients Preparing such an enormous quantity required careful engineering and precise structural planning Lifting such weight safely also demanded the use of appropriate crane equipment and proper safety checks Many observers have since questioned whether enough technical precautions were taken or whether dry runs had been carried out before the event .
Public Reaction
The collapse of the pot drew a flood of reactions online Some expressed disappointment believing the mishap might automatically disqualify her record attempt Others tried to lighten the mood joking that if the record did not break at least the pot did A number of comments showed sympathy with people hoping the incident would not affect her chances of being recognized At the same time some voices raised concerns about planning and questioned whether the engineers involved had fully considered the combined weight of rice and condiments which could exceed ten tonnes Overall the reactions reflected a mix of humor criticism and support for Hilda Baci’s ambitious effort .
Implications for Guinness World Record Submission
The collapse of the pot presents a major challenge for the certification process Guinness World Records requires official weighing of the pot and its contents and without this step the attempt could face disqualification Whether the pot can be repaired and lifted again or whether Guinness might allow an alternative method of measurement remains uncertain Much depends on how quickly the team can resolve the technical issues and present reliable evidence of the total weight .
Conclusion
Hilda Baci’s jollof rice record attempt was one of the most ambitious culinary projects in Nigerias recent history It involved massive preparation a specially built cooking pot and the strict procedures of Guinness World Records The collapse of the pot during lifting served as a reminder of the importance of engineering safety planning and technical foresight in such large scale projects For now the outcome of her submission remains unclear but the event has captured public attention and sparked conversations nationwide Whether or not Guinness recognizes the record Hilda Baci’s determination and daring attempt have already left a strong impression on many people .