Sanwo-Olu visits Hilda Baci at Guinness Record Cooking Contest

•Governor cheers young woman chef for global prize

Etim Ekpimah

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made a surprise appearance at Amore Gardens in Lekki on Sunday afternoon to motivate and celebrate a young talented Lagos-based chef, Hilda Baci, who is making a global record in the Longest Cook-a-thon contest.

Hilda is challenging the current Guinness World Record set by an Indian chef, who made global recognition in the craft, cooking for 86 hours in a stretch.

The Akwa Ibom indigene and owner of My Food My Hilda Restaurant in Lekki, who has been nursing the dream to participate in the food contest for five years, is expected to surpass the cooking time to become a Guinness World Record holder.

Gov, Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the chef had cooked for 68 hours when the governor stopped by to boost her morale. The governor’s appearance generated spontaneous excitement among the crowd of youths who gathered in the garden.

Hilda’s mother, Mrs Lynda Brown, and some family members were also around to support her.

Sanwo-Olu made a brief entry into the kitchen in order not to disrupt the event flow. During a chat with the governor, the chef offered a taste of some of the delicacies prepared, including Akwa Ibom’s traditional Edikang Ikong and Egusi soup.

The governor witnessed the moment Hilda hit the 69th hour in the kitchen, which was at exactly 1 pm on Sunday. The show was being watched live across social media platforms.

Addressing the crowd, Sanwo-Olu said: “My presence here is to encourage a young talented citizen who has been making all of us proud. You can see the Nigerian spirit popping out from her; the resilient spirit that Lagos is known for. We can also feel the Akwa Ibom spirit.

“Hilda is a great inspiration and motivator displaying the values of our country. I wish her the strength and courage to finish well and break the global record. Having made history with the largest cupcakes, we are expecting to have another first for our country and State.”

The governor urged youths across the country, who had been cheering her on social media, not to relent in sending their wishes, stressing that the global record would be their collective win.

At the time of this report, Chef Hilda had cooked over 100 different meals served freely to over 4,000 youths who turned up for dinner at the garden. The show is expected to wind up at 4 pm on Monday when the chef would have made a new global record.