Nigerian celebrity chef and two-time Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, is candid about the driving force behind her remarkable success: her “love for money and the good things in life.” The 30-year-old, who now spells her last name Baci instead of the original Bassey, is unapologetically embracing the spotlight and the glamour that comes with being Nigeria’s most celebrated culinary figure. Baci deftly navigates a public persona, acknowledging the distinction between “Hilda Baci the person” – the one cherished by family and friends – and “Hilda Baci the brand,” whose image is meticulously crafted.
“I’m a businesswoman first, which means that whatever I’m doing, it is important that my business come first,” she emphasizes. Under her renowned “My Food by Hilda” banner, she commands a massive following on Instagram, runs a popular Lagos restaurant, and offers coveted cookery classes and private chef services. While she cherishes being an inspiration, Baci admits to the pressure that accompanies it, stating, “I don’t allow that to overwhelm me and lose focus on what I’m trying to achieve.”
Baci’s journey into the culinary world began in her childhood. Her mother owned an eatery, and Baci recalls assisting there after primary school, memorizing the menu and energetically taking orders. This early exposure, coupled with her ambition to pursue careers in law, international relations, acting, and TV presenting, eventually led her to discover her true passion for cooking. At university, she began cooking for clubs, honing her skills, and later co-founded a food delivery business. Her stint presenting a cooking segment on a breakfast show paved the way for her own program, “Dine on a Budget,” and a flourishing career as a private chef.
Her rise to prominence was significantly boosted by her 2023 cook-a-thon, a staggering 93-hour non-stop cooking challenge that captured national attention and sparked a trend of endurance feats across Nigeria. More recently, she set a new Guinness World Record by cooking over 8.7 tonnes of Jollof rice in a single, custom-made pot. Baci’s success is a testament to her strategic planning and unwavering drive. She actively considers the “opportunity cost” of her endeavors, ensuring they align with her business and brand growth. While grateful for her mother’s support and her faith, Baci is driven by a personal vision to build a lasting legacy, aiming to expand her business globally and elevate Nigerian cuisine to international recognition, much like Chinese cuisine.
Despite societal pressures to marry, Baci remains focused on her career aspirations, stating, “Of course I want to get married… but that’s not something I pressure myself about. My desire to get married is because I’m with somebody I’m happy with and in love with, it’s not because society wants me to get married now.” Her ultimate goal is to create a business empire that endures for generations, with plans to open outlets in the UK, US, Canada, and South Africa, and to make her signature coconut rice a global household favorite.
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