Chef Hilda Baci draw massive crowd for Friday as she yan to cook the biggest pot of Naija Jollof rice wey history don ever see. The event land for Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, to mark World Jollof Day, and people from all corner of Lagos rush come support di oga of Jollof. Di excitement almost burst as soon as word spread say diehard food lovers go gather dey look how di magic go happen.
From early morning, Hilda and her team load 250 bags of rice inside one congo-sized cauldron. Dem set camera, switch on live stream, and invite food fans for social media follow every step. Na so she plan to break Guinness World Record and honour di cultural weight wey Jollof rice carry for Naija heart.
Before di fire light up, Pastor Bolaji from Harvester’s Church come lead short prayer for di ingredients. E nioluwa, one close friend to Hilda, present her with bouquet full of bright flower to show say community dey behind am. The ceremony add correct spiritual and emotional flavour to di cookathon.
Organisers yan say over 20,000 people don register to attend dis cookathon. Some folks wake up before dawn, line reach long long queue, all na to secure better spot near di big pot. Dem no mind stand under hot sun; dem ready flex phone camera make dem catch every steam and bubbles.
Photographs and videos wey dey buzz online show how di hotel outdoor veranda full ground. People shout “Oya!” anytime wetin dey bubble for pot, some even dey perform small ginger dance as di steam dey climb. Atmosphere sweet die – pure celebration of unity through food.
Social media no let am pass without tori. Many draw contrast between Hilda Baci cookathon and big church convention. Dem talk say free Jollof rice fit scatter paid religious gathering wey no dey give food. Some comments include:
- “See people for Hilda Baci event, nobody drag them say dem no get work. But if na RCCG convention una go dey talk say na jobless people full there.”
- “Na hypocrisy for me. Nobody dey talk say this gathering unnecessary because na non-religious. Dem always wan blame Christians.”
- “RCCG no dey give free Jollof rice, that one difference. People go where food dey.”
- “Hilda Baci own fit craze Guinness record. Nothing bigger than that.”
- “Na jobless people go pay 15k for gate fee? You and RCCG convention operator dey craze!”
- “Them don go pay tithe and offering. Na plate of food most of them go find.”
- “Baba rest, RCCG dey share food?”
- “People for Hilda Baci event go chop free jollof. Those for RCCG go fall under anointing and pay tithe. Both group no get serious matter.”
- “Hilda Baci event and RCCG event na same thing—if una give free jollof rice, pikins go still show.”
Organisers yet to confirm if record don set, but unmistakably Hilda Baci gather confirm say jollof rice get power to unite Naija people. Di cookathon show how one simple staple fit mobilise community, spark dialogue and carry nationals together.
Looking forward, expect more Jollof-themed events across the country as chefs dey ready to match Hilda Baci challenge. Which other local delicacy you think fit gather 20,000 Naija fans comot house?
Source: Prime 9ja Online Pidgin: 20,000 Pipo Jam Hilda Baci Cookathon for Eko Hotel Celebrate World Jollof Day