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Nigerian chef and entrepreneur, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual after cooking for more than 87 hours, 47 minutes.

The record was held by India’s Lata Tondon in 2019.

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She will keep cooking to extend the record and set a new one at 96 hours.

The restaurateur kick-started the competition on Thursday at exactly 4pm after she turned on her cooker.

The event, which is taking place at Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos, is being live-streamed on YouTube, and several celebrities, including Nigerians have defied the rain to cheer up the visibly tired chef.

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The cook-a-thon’s Instagram account, @hildabacicookathon revealed that the event is headline sponsored by GB Foods. Other sponsors include Arla Foods, BaigeWallet, Filmhouse, Jumbo, Uber and Woodscope.

The Cookathon has garnered attention both online and at the physical venue where celebrities are trooping in to support the chef.

Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha; actress, Kate Henshaw; singer, Tiwa Savage; media personality, Enioluwa, and many others appeared at the event.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also visited the venue on Sunday to cheer up Baci.

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Filmmaker, Kevin Adetiba, wrote on twitter, “REALLY rooting for HILDA BACHI. Don’t know her personally, but her drive, ambition and resilience, inspires and motivates me IMMENSELY.

“Sending her prayers and the best vibes to PUSH THROUGH. She’s inspiring people she doesn’t even know. GO HILDA… YOU GOT THIS!!!”

Former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also lauded Baci for her “determination and focus.”

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“The efforts being made by Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci) to beat the current Guinness World Record for cooking for 4 days nonstop shows the true Nigerian spirit of hardwork and resilience. I applaud her determination and focus on the goal, which are inspiring many Nigerian youths to live their dreams through hardwork and dedication.

“I wish her well on this noble journey to pen her name in the golden book of history. -PO,” he tweeted on Sunday.

Baci is not new to cooking competitions, she was a participant in the maiden edition of the Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021. The talented chef made Nigeria proud by winning the competition and walking away with a grand prize of $5000.

Pacesetter/Punch