A Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey, is edging closer to a Guinness World Record for the longest nonstop cooking time by a single individual and has completed three days already.
Bassey, also known as Baci, is contesting to beat an Indian chef, Lata Tandon, who holds the record with 87 hours 45 minutes. The Akwa Ibom native is targeting 96 hours, which is four days.
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The “cook-a-thon”, ongoing at Amore Garden in Lekki, Lagos, has received support from Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, Gov. Babjide Sanwo-Olu and Nigeria’s declared president-elect, Bola Tinubu.
Thousands have lined behind Bassey online, where her cooking is trending on social media, and many have thronged the location to give support. #RootingforHilda trended on Twitter on Sunday.
Akwa Ibom dancers were at the event on Sunday to also give support. The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, also declared support.
“Her dedication, passion for cooking as well as her desire to put our rich culture on the map by not only exhibiting our food but also her resilience, and determination,” said Mr Sanwo-Olu who visited the venue on Sunday.
Bassey is the owner of MyFoodByHilda restaurant, and an Instagram celebrity. Her mother owns Calabar Pot, a popular restaurant in Lagos.
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Bassey started cooking on Thursday and hopes to complete on Monday.
Those attending the event say she appeared exhausted on Sunday, after preparing multiple dishes the last three days without a break. But fans are cheering her up and the exercise is rapidly drawing national attention.
The rules of the contest require she cooks round the clock and have no sleep.
She must stand to cook and cannot take coffee or other stimulants. She is allowed to eat, drink water, fruit juice, or glucose.
She has five minutes of rest each hour, meaning she has just two hours to rest every day.
She can spend 30 minutes after every six hours in a medical van nearby where she can take a nap, use the restroom, and get medical assessment.
She makes various delicacies of her choice and shares them with people at the venue for free.
Bassey has reportedly received sponsorship from companies including Uber which has offered a 40% discount of rides to the venue of the record-targeting event.
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