She became Nigeria’s cooking sweetheart after she embarked on a journey to cook for the longest period of time – with an aim to enter the Guinness World Records.
HIlda not only went on to beat the previous set time, she cooked for a further 12+ hours.
Watching the cook-a-thon on live streams, while looking at her images on Instagram, it may be easy to think they were two different people. The first being a dedicated foodie who loves to cook scrumptious food while the other, a glamourous chick, who loves to look delicious herself.
Lets learn 5 things about Nigeria’s glamorous chef.
Hilda Baci family, age, career
Hilda Baci was born Hilda Effiong Bassey on 20 September 1996 to Mrs Lynda Ndukwe and Mr Effiong Bassey in Akwa Ibom State.
Her mother, an Igbo woman and a chef is the C.E.O. of the Calabar Pot, an indoor and outdoor food services company based in Abuja. Her father is of Calabar origin.
She is the second and only girl of Lynda’s three children, the other two are Gilbert – the oldest and an aspiring artist, and David – the baby of the house.
Baci completed her primary and secondary school education by 2011 and went on to the university of Madonna, Okija, Rivers State, to study Sociology. She graduated from the university – where fees for the subject are over 700 thousand Naira – in 2015 with a 2:2.
After university, she ventured into television and acting.
All about ‘My Food by Hilda’ and the famous Cook-a-thon
Despite moving into television and movies, food has always been Hilda’s first love, just like her mother.
She planned to use acting as a stepping stone to fulfil her chef dream before vowing to break the Guinness World Records (GWR) for the longest cooking marathon five years ago.
The journey to the cook-a-thon started five years ago.
It is one of my biggest aspirations and I am glad that I took the bold step to embark on this adventure. I have taken time to prepare for this psychologically and I am proud to finally take on this challenge.
The cook-a-thon is also an opportunity to tell some of the positive stories that come from Africa through the meals that we make.
This attempt is also proof of the strength young people can exhibit with the right platform and support. I look forward to receiving support from people across the world to achieve this feat.”
That five years earlier in 2018, Hilda starred in multiple films and series such Flatmates, Dreamchaser, and presented various shows including cooking ones on Pop Central TV and Rave TV.
In February 2020, she launched her food business “My Food by Hilda”, then in 2021 she won best cook at the Jollof Face-Competition in Ghana, beating Ghanaian Leslie Kumordzie to the prize.
All of these summoned her courage as by January 2022, she decided the time was right to go on the cook-a-thon journey, using six months from December 2022 to plan her execution.
She launched her My Food by Hilda restaurant in June 2022 in the heart of Lekki Lagos after spending the first two year cooking from her apartment and delivering the food to people.
She began teaching students how to cook from February 2021, starting with 30 students but now holding over one thousand student per class.
On Thursday 11 May, the 27 year old set off on a 4 day cook-a-thon fest to break the Guinness record set by an Indian chef, Lata Tondon, who completed the task in 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 secs in Rewa, India, in 2019.
Featured on live-stream on multiple social media channels, Hilda made over 250 recipes at Amore Gardens, Lekki, Lagos. From rice to pasta, and akara, Hilda cooked all recipe and gave it to well-wishers to eat free of charge while they watched.
Rules laid out by the GWR that had to be followed to successfully complete the challenge included cooking for 4 days non-stop; no sitting while cooking, no coffee, stimulants, or any energy drink to artificially boost her energy and bodily strength while cooking, no sleeping.
Food, drink water or fruit juice, and glucose were allowed. She was also entitled to 5 minutes per hour, which she gathered to 30 minutes every 6 hours to use for medical check ups, naps or the restroom.
For motivation, Hilda was continually encouraged by the crowd who came out to cheer her and eat. Top music, film and reality stars including Tiwa Savage, Lagos Governor Sanwolu were also at the scene and her team did their best to keep her spirit up.
Hilda went on to break the time set by Lata Tondon, spending a total of 4+ days to complete 100 hours time of cooking.
She became the nations loved chef.
Her proud mother dedicated her win to NSPPD head pastor, Jerry Eze, for the prophecies he gave concerning her family and how they came to pass for good.
Is Hilda Bassey dating or married?
Hilda has not publicly declared that she is dating, nor is she married.
However, fans have noted the strong chemistry between her and foodie photographer, Nelson Michael, the guy behind most of her cooking images and video. He is popularly known as Ched Cupid.
Michael who is a professional pastry chef opened up to TheWillDowntown when asked if he has a special someone. He replied: “yes, there is someone that I am pretty much in love with. I want to start a family with this person and spend the rest of my life with them.
Hilda before and after. Has she done surgery?
Hilda is a cook who also loves to show off her curves.
The 27 year old has always being a bigger lady however she has not always had the flat stomach, big hips and bum body.
As at September 2019, Hilda had what may be seen as a regular woman’s body.
By that same september, some months before the launch of My Food by Hilda, she had rebranded herself a volumptous lady with small waist who loves to cook.
Hilda Bassey’s social media
Hilda’s cook-a-thon success was largely down to the hype on Instagram. Herself and family have gained huge fame as a result. Her Instagram along with her family’s are:
Hilda’s Personal: Instagram
Hilda’s Food pages: Instagram, Twitter
Gilbert’s page: Instagram
Mrs Lynda’s Calabar Pot page: Instagram
