In a stunning twist, Hilda Baci, the renowned Nigerian chef, also known as Hilda Effiong Bassey, has been officially dethroned as the Guinness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon. The grand announcement came this Tuesday directly from the Guinness World Records (GWR) via their official website, where they introduced Alan Fisher as the exciting new record-holder.
Alan Fisher, a restaurant owner and chef in Japan, has achieved a remarkable feat by setting two new Guinness World Records. His first record is for the longest cooking marathon, with an astonishing time of 119 hours and 57 minutes. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record by more than 24 hours.
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Alan Fisher’s culinary prowess didn’t stop there. He also secured the record for the longest baking marathon in an impressive time of 47 hours and 21 minutes. This accomplishment eclipsed the previous record held by Wendy Sandner (USA), which stood at 31 hours and 16 minutes.
Back in June, Hilda achieved the milestone by being declared the Guinness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon. The Guinness World Records made the official announcement on their website, after a comprehensive review of all the evidence.
The 26-year-old Nigerian chef embarked on her culinary journey on Thursday, May 11, and continued non-stop until Monday, May 15. During this four-day marathon, she skilfully prepared over 100 pots of food.
Hilda initially aimed to set a record of 100 hours, but her final total was adjusted downwards by almost seven hours. This was due to a small error where she mistakenly took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early in the attempt.
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Nevertheless, Hilda’s extraordinary achievement surpassed the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes, previously held by Lata Tondon of India in 2019.
Alan’s journey to break the longest cooking marathon record began in March, during his participation in the “I Love Ireland” festival in Tokyo. While at the festival, he spent two nights inside a rented kitchen car, embracing the culinary challenge.
However, in May, Alan discovered that Hilda Baci had extended the record further, reaching an astonishing 93 hours and 11 minutes. This revelation likely fuelled his determination to take on the challenge and make his own mark in the world of cooking marathons.
Hilda Baci
On May 15, 2023, at 7:45 am, Hilda shattered the record for the longest cooking marathon, an incredible 87 hours and 50 minutes, surpassing the 2019 record holder. The next day, Guinness World Records acknowledged her attempt, awaiting her evidence for official confirmation.
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Originally targeting a 96-hour marathon, Hilda extended her goal to 100 hours, showcasing her unwavering determination and resilience. High-profile figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvester International, and renowned singer Tiwa Savage, alongside Tim Godfrey and Ice Prince, rallied behind her. Even former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo called to offer encouragement. Hilda received overwhelming support from her fans, with Nigerians converging at the competition venue and trending her on social media.
After a thorough review of videos and evidence, Guinness World Records officially confirmed Hilda Baci’s achievement, recognizing her as the new record holder with an astounding 93 hours and 11 minutes of continuous cooking.