Between May 11th and 15th, 2023, Nigerian chef Hilda Baci –who we didn’t know until then– undertook an attempt to break the world record for the longest cooking marathon. It was everywhere: ‘Hilda has started;’ ‘Sanwo-olu visits Hilda;’ Hilda Baci surpasses current world record of 87 hours;’ ‘Hilda Baci has taken a break;’ and the one we all waited for: ‘Hilda Baci completes her cook-a-thon.’ The few days it took GWR to review her attempt, we all put our necks out, waiting for official confirmation. When the official confirmation came in, we were all elated: another Nigerian had made us proud. About a year later, Hilda Baci is immortalized in a Disney Game show –the first of its kind: Iwaju the rising chef (a game that follows a Disney collaboration with a Nigerian Gaming studio, Maliyo games).
Disney describes Iwaju as “an original animated series set in a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria.” The premiere of the animated series wasn’t, in fact, the only big deal for us. It was the inclusion of an accompanying cooking game: ‘Iwaju: Rising Chef’. In ‘Iwaju: Rising Chef,’ players respond to orders from patrons and prepare different Nigerian delicacies. As a prize for delivering the best meal, players get Lagos’ fanciest restaurants.
Hilda’s success with her cook-a-thon has inspired millions of people. Nigeria was, again, renowned for food, in addition to the beautiful job that Tiwa Savage was doing for us in Afrobeat. On May 7th (about 4 days before Hilda began her cook-a-thon), dressed in a glistering green gown, Tiwa Savage performed at King Charles III’s coronation.
Millions of people were glued to their screens watching in anticipation of Hilda Baci’s victory: WhatsApp statuses were filled with photos of Baci; Twitter (before it became X) bore different hashtags that alluded to Hilda Baci; Facebook users were digging out old photos of Baci from the before-the-limelight time. Others who were fortunate enough to have mobility around Lagos –ranging from skit makers, musicians, influencers, top political figures, and our very own Charles Okocha– showed up at the venue to cheer her on while she worked hour after hour cooking different dishes, assisted by her kitchen assistant, Chef Sunny. Safe to say, even if Hilda didn’t win her record-breaking attempt, she won the heart of those who watched her.
Dr. Joneclever Patrick, a medical doctor and food enthusiast, rarely had time to be online, but when it became obvious he was missing out, he gave in. “The nature of my job as a medical practitioner keeps me busy, with barely enough time to come online. When the buzz about Hilda Baci became too much, I caved in and looked her up. Honestly, she made some men go into the kitchen and try to whip up something. I experimented a few meals myself, as for the taste, I would say it was great, maybe not chef-standard, but it was great.”
Following her attempt at the GWR, Hilda Baci has become an inspiration to millions of women around the world. She represents a tenacious symbol that signifies the greatness that lies in all of us if we just believe more. Her daring venture has paved the way for many women to rise to monumental breakthroughs across different fields and spheres of influence.
Nike, the CEO of Nike’s Kitchen, attests to the widespread fever of Hilda Baci’s inspiring win. “Her success has inspired me and taught me that cooking can be enjoyed. She encouraged me to never give up, and to reach for my dreams. I mean, she inspired the whole country. I literally started cooking more, and had the courage to start my foodpreneur journey because of her. Everyone heard of Hilda’s cook-a-thon and ran into the kitchen. All of a sudden, everyone wanted to be a chef. It clearly inspired the ‘Iwaju: Rising Chef’ game in many ways. I’m happy a woman could make such an impact. ”
Beyond vying to break a world record, Hilda Baci exported our food –our cultural identity– to the world.
“’Iwaju: Rising Chef’ doesn’t stop at just one universe and audience,” Murice Chatpot, Co-founder of Savannah Creatives, asserts. “Its narrative also taps into one of Nigeria’s biggest cultural pride -food-, while subtly echoing the culinary journey of Nigerian chef Hilda Baci, who gathered the support of millions of people last year as she achieved the world record for the longest cooking marathon with an incredible time of 93 hours 11 minutes!”
Chisom Gabriella Nnamdi was part of Hilda Baci’s cooking classes last year. “I watched my dad cook everyday in our family restaurant. It wasn’t a big business, really, but I always told myself ’This will be me one day.’”
Chisom earned a Diploma in 2020 and currently runs a food business, inspired by her early background. When she heard about Hilda Baci’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “At first, I felt she had a privileged background, a little better than some of us, so that put her in a position to win. It sounded impossible for an average person to achieve such a feat. Fast-forward to when I was part of her cooking classes last year, I realized she fit my average-person profile! Someone who set a goal and worked so hard to achieve it.”
Being with Hilda Baci, Chisom reminisces, made her believe that she could achieve whatever she set her mind to. “She not only taught us secrets to making great meals, but also mentored our minds as well.”
From the little girl who loves to cook, the young lady who is bursting with business ideas, the woman in the market, in the private sector, in government, full-time home managers, and even men, Hilda represents a part of us that wants something, a dream so big we may be forced to question our sanity. Little wonder Iwaju: Rising Chef alludes to her.
Beyond foodpreneurship, women in other corporate ranks are advocating and creating more opportunities for women to soar. Odulu Amos Ikogi, a marketing and advertising expert says this year’s IWD theme deeply resonates with her as an individual and a leader, a subject of uttermost importance that should be taken seriously in its implementation.
“As a woman, I understand the power of representation. Women before me understood this and that was why they created the opportunities that have inspired me thus far. Representation means a girl can look and aspire, and know that there is more to her and what she can bring to the world than what the society expects. Women make up half the population of the world, our contribution, support and effort should be recognized, celebrated and accepted,” she says.
As we celebrate the International Women’s Day today, we honor and recognize the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across various spheres of life, especially women who have made substantial strides in various professions, breaking through social barriers. From corporate boardrooms and businesses to the country’s arts and culture scene, Nigerian women are changing the narrative.
Hilda Baci’s tenacity and resilience can be seen in her carriage, input, relations and obviously, her results. While players respond to orders in ‘Iwaju: Rising Chef’, women out here keep responding to calls to do more, do bigger, do better. With ‘Iwaju: Rising Chef’, one doesn’t have to wait till they’re 26 to break a record.
Just like Peak Milk would say, It’s in You…Reach for Your Peak.
Story by: Nkechinyere Agwu