Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has shifted her much-anticipated Jollof Rice Festival to a larger venue after more than 20,000 people registered to attend.
The festival, which was initially designed to accommodate 3,000 guests, will now be held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on Friday, 12 September 2025. Organisers say the new venue was chosen to guarantee safety and comfort as demand for the event far exceeded expectations.
“The festival is still free of charge, and there will be unlimited servings of food for everyone,” Baci said in her announcement, assuring attendees that no one will be left out despite the surge in numbers.
At the heart of the event is an ambitious Guinness World Record attempt. Baci is preparing to cook 250 bags of rice in a 22,619-litre pot, a feat aimed at setting a new record for the largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice ever cooked.
Beyond the record-breaking spectacle, the festival is positioned as a celebration of Nigeria’s culinary heritage. Organisers highlight that the gathering will blend food, culture and history, offering a memorable experience for all.
Baci, who shot to global fame after her record-breaking cook-a-thon in 2023, said she is looking forward to once again putting Nigerian food on the world stage. “This is more than just a festival. It’s a chance to showcase our culture, our resilience and the power of Jollof to unite people,” she said.
The festival’s focus on Jollof rice also taps into one of West Africa’s most spirited culinary rivalries. With Ghana and Nigeria both claiming bragging rights to the best Jollof, the event is likely to spark conversations across the region.
For many, the Jollof Rice Festival is not just about food but also about identity and pride. As Baci prepares to make history, the event is shaping up to be a landmark occasion in the continent’s cultural calendar.
