Nigerian Chef Breaks Cooking World Record: 100 Hours in the Kitchen

A Nigerian chef named Hilda Bassey has broken the Guinness World Record for continuous cooking, by staying in the kitchen and cooking for a full 100 hours over the span of four days.

Bassey explained that her motivation to attempt and break the Guinness cooking record was "to put Nigerian cuisine on the map and inspire young African women to pursue their dreams. I also wanted to break this record to truly push my boundaries and test my capabilities."

During the record-breaking effort, Bassey primarily cooked traditional Nigerian dishes such as rice and pasta, as well as "Akara"—a popular Nigerian street food made from deep-fried bean paste.

After completing the challenge and breaking the record, Nigerian citizens were invited to come and taste the dishes Bassey prepared, celebrating the achievement with her.

The record-breaking event began on Thursday, May 11, and concluded on Monday, May 15, during which Bassey cooked 100 large pots of food.

Throughout the 4-day endeavor, the Nigerian chef allowed herself a 5-minute break for every hour worked, for rest or restroom needs.

Guinness World Records officials certified Bassey’s record at 93 hours and 11 minutes, deducting 7 hours because, allegedly, she exceeded a 5-minute break at one point.

During her breaks, Bassey received brief treatments including cold compresses for her head, massages for her legs, and assistance from a doctor who monitored her throughout the challenge.

The previous continuous cooking record was 87 hours and 45 minutes, set by Indian chef Lata Tandon in 2019.