- Full Name: Hilda Effiong Bassey (popularly known as Hilda Baci)
- Date of Birth: 20 September 1996
- Place of Birth: Nsit Ubium, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
- Profession: Chef, Restaurateur, TV Host, Guinness World Record Holder
- Business Brand: My Food by Hilda
- Major Record: Longest cooking marathon (93 hours, 11 minutes, Guinness World Records 2023)
- Other Feats: Winner of Jollof Face-Off 2021, Food Influencer of the Year 2023
- Philanthropy: Over 3,000 meals donated during COVID-19; training 2,500+ students
- Net Worth (Est.): About US$320,000
- Social Media: Instagram – @hildabaci (millions of followers)
Full Name and Stage Name
Her birth name is Hilda Effiong Bassey. She is professionally known as Hilda Baci. There don’t appear to be widely used aliases beyond that.
2. Early Life and Background
Hilda was born on 20 September 1996 in Nsit Ubium, which is in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. She comes from a family where cooking featured prominently: her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, is herself involved in the culinary world.
It is said that her mother and grandmother taught her traditional Nigerian cooking techniques from a young age. She was raised partly in Calabar and later in Abuja; her mother ran a restaurant business (Calabar Pot) in Abuja.
3. Education
Hilda Baci earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Madonna University, Okija, in Anambra State. She attended secondary school at Queen’s College and graduated in 2012. After her university degree she undertook some formal culinary education (a culinary arts or culinary studies program) to sharpen her cooking skills.
4. Career Beginnings
From early on she cooked for family and friends; these early experiences were well-received and helped build her confidence. While still a student, she started a food delivery and catering business.
Originally called Hilda’s Kitchen, it was later rebranded to My Food by Hilda. She ran it from a small apartment at first, doing deliveries. She also worked in media-related food presentation and TV roles early in her career: she hosted a cooking segment (“In My Kitchen”) on Rave TV’s Morning Rave show, and later hosted Dine on a Budget on Pop Central TV.
5. Rise to Fame / Breakthrough Moment
One of the early public recognitions was when she won the Jollof Faceoff competition in 2021, which helped increase her visibility. Her most significant breakthrough came in May 2023 with her “Cook-a-thon” challenge: she attempted and succeeded in breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
The attempt lasted from 11 May to 15 May 2023, and the confirmed time was 93 hours, 11 minutes of continuous cooking. That achievement expanded her fame both within Nigeria and internationally, as many public figures, media outlets, and the Guinness World Records themselves recognised her feat.
6. Major Achievements and Awards
In 2021, Hilda Baci won the Jollof Face-Off Competition, which marked her first major recognition in the culinary industry. Her most historic achievement came in May 2023, when she successfully broke the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, clocking in at 93 hours and 11 minutes. The record was officially confirmed and awarded by Guinness in June 2023.
Following this, she won the Food Influencer of the Year award at the Pulse Influencer Awards in 2023. She also received recognition through the Africa Travel under 40 Awards for her contributions in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Additionally, she became a brand ambassador for Aspira Nigeria, representing products like Viva Detergent and Dishwashing Liquid, cementing her position as one of Nigeria’s most prominent culinary personalities.
7. Style and Personality
Hilda Baci is widely admired for her ambition, perseverance, and strong work ethic, qualities that were particularly evident during her record-breaking Cook-a-thon. She blends entrepreneurial skills with creativity, using her cooking to highlight and promote Nigerian cuisine on both local and global stages.
Her personality is defined by humility, composure, and a sense of purpose, which makes her relatable to her audience. Hilda is also known for her generosity and commitment to community, often mentoring aspiring chefs and linking her culinary ventures to social impact initiatives.
8. Personal Life
Hilda Baci keeps her personal life largely private, with little public information available about her romantic relationships or immediate family beyond her mother, Lynda Ndukwe, who has been a major influence on her culinary journey. Her mother, who also runs a restaurant business, played a significant role in introducing her to traditional Nigerian cooking. As of now, there is no verified information about Hilda being married or having children.
9. Philanthropy and Social Impact
Hilda has demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided more than 3,000 meals to underprivileged communities, directly supporting those in need. Beyond food donations, she has trained over 2,500 students in culinary arts, offering prizes and recognition to outstanding performers as a way of motivating excellence.
She has also raised funds for vulnerable individuals, including widows, such as her effort in 2023 to raise one million Naira for a widow in Lagos. On International Women’s Day, she engaged students through cooking demonstrations, competitions, and the distribution of gifts, refreshments, and monetary awards, thereby inspiring younger generations, especially girls, to pursue their passions.
10. Controversies and Public Criticism
Hilda Baci has largely avoided controversies or public scandals, maintaining a positive reputation in the public eye. The only notable issue arose after her Cook-a-thon, when Guinness World Records clarified their deduction of some hours due to rest breaks, a standard practice in such record verifications.
This was quickly resolved when Guinness formally confirmed her official record, and the clarification did not diminish the public’s admiration for her achievement.
11. Net Worth and Lifestyle
Hilda Baci’s net worth has been estimated at around 320,000 US dollars, a reflection of her growing success as a chef, entrepreneur, and influencer. She has invested significantly in her food business, “My Food by Hilda,” and launched a premium fast-food restaurant in 2022, which has strengthened her reputation in the hospitality sector.
She also earns from brand endorsements and ambassadorial deals. Reports suggest she owns or uses luxury cars such as a Range Rover and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, although such details are less formally verified. Her lifestyle reflects a balance between luxury and purpose, as she continues to reinvest in her brand and philanthropic projects.
12. Recent Activities / Current Projects
Recently, Hilda has been active in philanthropic and community engagement efforts. She has collaborated with schools such as Wellspring College, where she conducted cooking demonstrations and competitions for students, while also providing monetary prizes and gifts to encourage learning and creativity. Her ambassadorial role with Aspira Nigeria continues to keep her in the spotlight, alongside her work in expanding her restaurant business.
She remains committed to training young people in culinary skills, often rewarding them with incentives to foster growth. Through these activities, Hilda has maintained her relevance in both the culinary and social sectors, positioning herself as a role model for young Nigerians.
13. Influence and Legacy
Hilda Baci has become a prominent figure in Nigeria and beyond as a symbol of what determination, creativity, and consistency can achieve. Her record-setting Cook-a-thon elevated her from a respected chef to a household name. Because of that feat, she has gained increased visibility in mainstream media, speaking engagements, and brand partnership opportunities.
She also serves as inspiration especially to young women in the culinary and entrepreneurial fields, showing that one can build success outside of traditional paths. She’s contributed to shifting perceptions of what it means to be a female chef, especially in contexts where such roles are male-dominated. Her legacy likely will include motivating others to attempt the ambitious, to value craft, and to believe in goals that many might consider impossible.
14. Social Media and Online Presence
Hilda Baci has a strong online following. On Instagram she posts under the handle @hildabaci, where she has millions of followers. Through her social media she promotes her cooking, her food business My Food by Hilda, her restaurant, and her public projects; she uses the platforms not just to show off finished dishes but to share behind-the-scenes work, challenges, and moments of her journey, which helps build relatability.
Her online presence plays a big role in how she engages with her audience, builds her brand, and mobilises support for her cook-athons and other events. She’s also discussed dealing with stereotypes and personal obstacles in interviews that circulate via social media, which further humanises her and strengthens her connection with followers.
15. Quotes and Personal Statements
- In an interview on Challenges of Successful Women, Hilda said: “Oh yes. All my life. I have been stereotyped all my life. More now. More now than before. I remember a particular award where I was like… they didn’t think that I had, you know, much to offer.” This reflects what she’s faced being in public and being judged by appearances or assumptions.
- On male friendships, she has said: “I don’t keep many male friends ‘cus many of them don’t want to be just friends with me. They want more but I was raised to remain a virgin.”
- She has also spoken about how her ambitions require boldness, strategy, hard work, and strong networks, and how vision must be followed by consistent action.
16. Interesting Facts
One interesting fact is that Hilda attempted to get into the Big Brother Naija reality show multiple times, but was not selected. She has openly shared this, suggesting that even though she aspired for that, she found her own path to visibility and success outside such platforms. Another is that she talks openly about being stereotyped throughout her life, which many people in the public eye do not always admit.
Also, her record as of September 2025 includes another Guinness World Record achieved during the World Jollof Festival in Lagos: cooking the largest quantity of jollof rice at once, in conjunction with another personality (Gino).
17. Conclusion
Hilda Baci’s story is one of perseverance, talent, and purpose. From her early life learning from her family, through building a business, to setting world records, she has carved out a place for herself not just as a chef, but as a role model, influencer, and entrepreneur.
Her influence goes beyond cooking; it encompasses social impact, breaking stereotypes, and inspiring many to stretch their imaginations about what they can achieve. While her journey continues, her legacy is already taking shape in the lives of those she touches and in how she reshapes expectations in her field.
