Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey became a national sensation after cooking nonstop for 100 hours, in an attempt to set a world record for longest cooking by an individual.
The 27-year-old chef, known on social media as Hilda Baci, started cooking on Thursday, May 11, and continued until Monday 15, creating more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals designed to showcase the best of Nigerian cuisine in the marathon kitchen session.
The current holder of the title Hilda seeks to break is an Indian chef Lata Tandon, who set a Guinness World Record for cooking for 87 hours and 45 minutes non-stop in 2019.
But the Guinness World Record committee is yet to confirm that all their criteria have been met and whether Bassey will become the record holder.
A tweet from their official Twitter handle read: “We’re aware of this amazing record attempt, we need to review all the evidence first before officially confirming a record.”
The “cook-a-thon” which was held at Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria saw well-wishers, celebrities and politicians cheering Hilda on both in person and online as she cooked.
Here are some of the rules that guided the Cooking Marathon
1. She was to cook for 4 days non-stop which she surpassed to day 5.
2. She stood the entire time cooking and was not permitted to sit while cooking.
3. She was not allowed to take coffee, stimulants, or any energy drink to artificially boost her energy and bodily strength while cooking.
4. She was only allowed to eat food, drink water or fruit juice, and take glucose.
5. She cooked round the clock, with no sleep (Morning, afternoon, evening, and night nonstop for 5 days instead of the initial 4 days).
6. She had just 5 minutes rest per hour, thus for every 1 hour, she was given 5 minutes rest or break.
7. Reports also indicate that she was allowed a 30-minute break every 6 hours for medical examination and a little nap.
8. Whatever she cooked was served to the people at the venue. The food was not for sale.
9. She cooked different meals simultaneously. She was at liberty to cook any meal she likes. There are no restrictions as to what she can cook or not cook.
10. Every meal cooked and every plate served is recorded.
The Guinness Book of Records, often known as the Guinness World Records, is a reference book that contains human and natural world records.
Individuals or groups must submit proof to the Guinness World Records team and go through a verification process to qualify for a world record listing. When a record is validated, it is put into the book and becomes an official world record.
It was first published in 1955 by the Guinness Brewery in Ireland and has since become one of the world’s most well-known and frequently read reference books.
These records may include a wide range, from the world’s largest and smallest things to the quickest and slowest, to the most weird and unusual accomplishments.
Guinness World Records has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring many people to set their own world records.