27-year-old chef and entrepreneur, Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci, has hit the 87-hour 45 minutes mark on Monday morning, beating the previous record held by Indian chef, Lata Tondon in 2019, for the world’s longest marathon cooking.
It was gathered that Chef Lata Tondon of India was called the “Iron Lady” when she cooked for 87 hours and 45 minutes in 2019 surpassing the previous record by 20 hours.
Though Chef Hilda Baci has broken Chef Lara Tondon’s 87 hours, 45 minutes record, she has continued cooking as she intends to set a personal record of 96 hours. She will complete this at 4pm Nigerian time (16:00 GMT).
The Akwa Ibom indigene 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 who have defied the rain to cheer up the visibly tired chef up.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Hilda Baci’s Attempt To Break Guinness World Record For Longest Cooking Marathon
The restauranteur hit the three-day mark on Sunday as several attendees cheered in support.
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.
Politicians including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, and President-elect Bola Tinubu have shown their love and support to Hilda Baci.
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, also lauded Baci for her “determination and focus.”
“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.
Taking to her Instagram live video on Sunday, President-elect, Bola Tinubu, commented, “IDAN doesn’t break, she breaks records. We’re rooting for you, Hilda” as a show of support for the chef.
The screenshot of the Instagram Live was shared on Tinubu’s Instagram story on Sunday.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Governor Sanwo-Olu Visits Hilda Baci Over Attempt To Break Guiness World Record
‘Idan’ is a trending slang on social media, used to describe someone who grinds out extraordinary results.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also visited the venue on Sunday to cheer up Baci.
The Cookathon has also 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, Eby Eno, Banky W and Adesua Etomi; singers; Tiwa Savage, Spyro, Skiibii; media personality, Enioluwa, Chioma Goodhair and many others appeared at the event.
Filmmaker, Kemi 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!!!”
