Following a post by the official Guinness World Records on Twitter (X), crowning Alan Fisher as the new record holder for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an individual, Nigerian Chef Hilda Baci has been succeeded. Earlier in May 2023, the Lagos-based Restaurateur attempted to break the record of 87 hours and 45 minutes previously held by Indian chef, Lata London.
Baci’s attempt for a 100-hour record was eventually awarded for 93 hours and 11 minutes, after deducting a penalty of about 7 hours for taking an excess break during the first few hours of her attempt. The news has left a lot of Nigerians displeased. Some have even taken to making snide remarks on his social media pages. Contrary to what a lot of Nigerians believed, the official Guinness World Records’ X handle dispelled all rumors that an attempt at breaking a recent record can only be made at least a year later.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, Hilda Baci congratulated Alan Fisher on his feat, acknowledging his efforts and hard work in her most recent tweets. “Achieving such a record is no small feat, and I know this firsthand. I have only the greatest admiration for the hard work it took for Alan to reach such heights. Sportsmanship is about recognizing progress, whether the accolade is in my bio or not. I remain a record holder in spirit and in history. Let’s celebrate achievement and the spirit of competition.”
For many Nigerians, Hilda Baci’s record-breaking attempt served as a cultural moment that platformed the richness of Nigerian cuisine, and represented the tenacity and drive many Nigerians share. It also captivated the attention of many brands and entities which eventually spiked Baci’s visibility and even landed her brand partnerships and deals with many notable brands including Gino, Aquafina amongst others.
Fisher broke the record at his Irish restaurant in Matsue, Shimane, Japan from 28 September to October 3, 2023, achieving the record of 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds. During this time, he prepared a variety of Irish meals and delicacies, promoting his indigenous culture. A day before, he completed about 47 hours of baking, an attempt for the Longest baking marathon by an individual, and attempted both records with only a 31-hour break in between. Fisher is now the current holder of both records and has successfully made his mark in the global culinary industry for his feat.