Friday, 19th September 2025 GB Foods Africa, makers of Gino Foods celebrated Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record for cooking the largest pot of jollof rice, a milestone that has put Nigerian cuisine on the global stage. The press conference drew media, partners, and culinary enthusiasts, creating an atmosphere of pride and excitement.
GB Foods Africa Managing Director, Mr. Vincent, set the tone for the day. “This is a celebration for all of us,” he said, recognizing everyone from behind-the-scenes crew to on-camera hosts. He emphasized that the record was not the end, but a milestone. “It is about building a culture of excellence that seeks to exceed what others may consider impossible,” he said. He insisted credit belonged to the whole team, especially Mrs Ore and Hilda. “The reality is that Ore and Hilda made this possible, let us give them their flowers today,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
When the floor was opened for questions, the first went directly to Hilda: ”With over 20,000 people attending the festival in person and countless more watching online, and with Guinness finally verifying the record alongside Gino, what did the moment mean to her personally, and what role did her mother play in the journey?” Hilda Baci reflected on the journey, recalling how she and Ore began planning in July 2024.
“Imagine planning something for nine months,” she said. “We faced hurdles, but through it all, it was God we held on to. We experienced miracles that felt like answered prayers.” She also highlighted her mother’s unwavering support: “She was willing to come a month before the event, just to cheer me on. With that kind of love at home, half of the problem is already solved. All I have achieved is thanks to my mom.”
The spotlight then shifted back to Mr. Vincent, Managing Director of GB Foods Africa, who was asked about the record’s significance for the company. He explained that the achievement was deeply tied to Gino’s ethos of innovation and consumer satisfaction.
“As we all know, Gino is a brand committed to pushing the envelope. Ten years ago, we became the first brand to produce tomato in a sachet, and that spirit of innovation has guided us ever since,” he said.
Mr. Vincent went on to highlight how Gino’s partnership with Hilda reflected the brand’s larger vision. “When we looked out for people who wanted to push for culinary excellence, Hilda stood out. From her cook-a-thon in 2023 to this moment, the journey has been about more than one record. For us, and for Hilda, this is just the beginning.”
Marketing Director, Oreoluwa Atinmo explained the broader vision:
“She explained that the team’s guiding question was simple yet profound: how do we tell Nigeria’s story of resilience and creativity through food? Beyond nourishment, the goal was to elevate food into culture. “That was well achieved by creating a global platform for food-just like we have Afrobeats for music, we wanted Nigerian cuisine to have its own stage,” she said.
Oreoluwa also highlighted how the initiative aligned with Gino’s long-standing ethos of innovation. “We introduced one of our key innovations from five years ago — Gino Cubes which celebrate our local flavors. To be able to place what we’ve been building on a global platform was, for us, very beautiful,” she added.
As the questions concluded, an audience member asked about the fate of the iconic pot. Hilda smiled: “It’s a symbol of many things.” The team agreed it would remain as a lasting reminder, something people can point to for years and say: this carried the world’s biggest pot of jollof. Her words resonated, a reminder that beyond records and headlines, the pot embodies resilience, creativity, and the pride of a nation.
Watch her speak about the pot below,
The record-breaking jollof pot is more than a Guinness-certified milestone .It is a cultural landmark, showcasing Nigeria’s culinary heritage and the power of vision, collaboration, and national pride.
