Hilda Baci said she was homeless despite attending Madonna University.
Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey known as Hilda Baci who broke the Guinness World Record for longest cooking time by an individual has revealed that she was once homeless.
The Akwa Ibom State-born chef disclosed this known in a recent interview on TVC on Monday.
“A lot of people see this buzz now, and most of them think I dropped from the sky. They don’t know I was homeless at some point. There’s an entire phase and journey that got me here, and I’m not even done.
“Away from all the buzz, I had plans to open a bigger space because we were outgrowing our space and we needed much bigger staff strength. I’m working on a cookware line. There are things and designs I don’t find. Some work for food vendors, home use, and content creators. I need to put a collection together. Nigerian food is so good. I have many students from across the world. I look [forward] to hosting masterclasses.”
Consequently, Hilda Baci has now set a new record for the longest cooking time by an individual.
The 27-year-old was cheered by a rousing number of Nigerians, mostly youths who were present at the scene of the record-breaking event.
Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited the chef at the Amore Gardens in the Lekki area of the state and cheered her up.
Also, the lead pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre Lagos, Bolaji Idowu; and actor Charles Okocha, amongst others visited the chef.
The GWR, in response, said it would first review Baci’s attempt before officially confirming that a new record is set.
In an interview with TVC, Hilda spoke of her plans following the media attention she gained after the cooking marathon.
The cook said she used to be homeless but now hopes to expand her business and tutor clients across the world.
“I need young women to see that there’s more to them than the stereotypes that society puts out there. There’s always that narrative that you can’t make it [without having others] create a platform for you,” she said.
