Guinness World Record has officially confirmed chef Hilda Baci’s record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. But, will she be paid? Read on for more!
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Guinness World Records officially certified and awarded Hilda Baci (the CEO and head cook at FoodbyHilda) as the new record holder for the “Longest Cooking Marathon” by an individual.
She cooked for four days for 100 hours but according to the GWR, almost seven hours were not counted because she mistakenly took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks and hence her record set was 93 hr 11 min.
Hilda cooked 100 pots of food over four days and the food was donated to a local charity in Nigeria.
She dubbed her journey “Cook-ah-thon“, it began on May 11 and ended on May 15. It featured a live-streamed show on multiple social media channels where Hilda made over 250 recipes.
Prior to her journey, she revealed her inspiration behind it by saying;
The journey to the cook-a-thon started five years ago. It is one of my biggest aspirations and I am glad that I took the bold step to embark on this adventure. I have taken time to prepare for this psychologically and I am proud to finally take on this challenge.
The cook-a-thon is also an opportunity to tell some of the positive stories that come from Africa through the meals that we make.
This attempt is also proof of the strength young people can exhibit with the right platform and support. I look forward to receiving support from people across the world to achieve this feat.
The internet personality and chef has received a lot of support from Nigerians during and after her journey, including some prominent figures in the country. Like, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo called her via a phone call to cheer her up. The governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo Olu went to Amore Garden, Lekki, Lagos where Hilda’s cook-a-thon is taking place to encourage her.
Lata Tondon who previously held the record used 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds cooking in Rewa, India, in 2019.
The Guinness Book of World Records was first published in 1955, and since then it has been a big seller year after year.
While Baci’s attempt was victorious and now holds the world record, one of the first questions that come to the minds of her admirers is how much Hilda will be paid by the Guinness World Record. Well, it happens that she won’t be really paid ‘monetarily’ but the later benefit will be more than money. Read on for more.
Image Source: Instagram @hildabaci
How much does Hilda Baci get paid for breaking the longest cooking record?
Contrary to what many people believe, entering the Guinness Book of World Records does not have any type of economic compensation.
Therefore, Hilda Baci who is now a world record holder (and even if she failed to break the ‘Longest Cooking Marathon’ record) will not receive a single naira, euro, pound, or dollar for breaking a record. However, beyond the money, she will get great recognition, besides the pride of being the best at cooking and holding that title.
Image Source: Forever Star India Awards
The institution’s own regulations specify that those who beat an existing record, as well as those who set a new record, are not paid anything.
“As the world’s foremost authority on world records, our role is to celebrate the best in the world, to inspire all people, to entertain and to inform,” state Guinness World Records.
“For those reasons, we do not pay record breakers for their achievements or for making an official record title attempt. Nor can we cover any expenses, offer sponsorship or provide equipment for the performance of any official record attempt.
“In addition, we do not make contributions to individuals, charities, or companies. This is in order to maintain our impartial stance as the world authority on record title registration and to ensure the inclusion of all applicants.”
Image Source: Instagram @hildabaci
Does this mean Hilda Baci is just wasting her time? No, she is expected to see growth which will even increase her net worth
Per the website of the Guinness World Records, they won’t pay Hilda Baci a penny for breaking the record which was previously held by Lata Tondon, or even for carrying out a record title attempt but rather, all it can do is celebrate her to inspire ordinary people, entertain and inform.
Hilda’s resume or portfolio will be huge because she will receive an official Guinness World Records certificate (unofficial certificates and merchandise about Baci will be auctioned in the GWR Store). The Guinness World Record certificate is accepted globally and the holders of this certificate are known all around the world1.
Although Hilda won’t have any monetary benefits, she may receive some other benefits such as worldwide recognition, online presence growth, advertisers or sponsors, and ambassadorial deals, and it will raise her status to a more respectable personality within Nigeria and beyond.
Hilda is currently verified on Instagram with over a million followers while her other social media accounts are growing as well. Also, TheStreetJournal reports that a financial solution app, Vesti App has offered Hilda, an all-expense paid trip to the Maldives for the summer. Uber started sponsoring her cook-a-thon-from the onset.
On Friday, 9 June 2023, Baci signed her first endorsement deal with Woodscope Nigeria, a brand she claims has supported her from the start and is very dear to her heart.
One huge benefit is that Hilda’s net worth will see a huge surge in the coming years as a lot of brands and companies will reach out to her for deals.