Nigeria to the World: How Hilda Baci's World Record is a Lesson in Perseverance and Belief

As I sit down to write about Hilda Baci's incredible achievement, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for what she has accomplished. Cooking for that incredible number of hours is no easy feat, but Hilda didn't just cook for hours - she cooked delicious meals, kept energy alive and demonstrated an audacity that is really admirable. She pushed herself to the limit and broke the world record, and that is something truly remarkable!

I can't help but be inspired by the sheer determination and perseverance that Hilda must have had. She did not let fatigue or setbacks get in her way - she kept going until she achieved and even surpassed her original goal. I still remember how I would examine her expressions during her breaks through my screen, keen to notice if she was still feeling energised and hoping that she would get to the finish line. Her focus and determination were palpable, and that kind of resilience is something we can all learn from.

It wasn't just Hilda's determination that inspired me - it was also her preparation, focus, and the amazing team she was surrounded by. I learnt that she had birthed this vision 2 years ago and had started physical training to build strength for the task ahead. Cooking for such a long period of time requires balance and strength, intense concentration and attention to detail. Hilda was able to stay focused on the task at hand, even when distractions threatened to pull her away. Distractions of stress, exhaustion, even applause and celebration. She could have stopped after breaking Indian Chef, Lata Tondon's existing record of 87 hours and 45 minutes, but she pushed to achieve her 96-hour goal and then set a new goal of100 hours, which she eventually exceeded by 40 minutes, cooking for a total period of 100 hours and 40 minutes. It’s the audacity for me!

Another thing that stood out for me was Hilda's team. Do you remember the amazing Chef Sunny? What a great support system and cheer leader. Hilda was surrounded not only by a core team who were sold out to her vision, but also the goodwill of many Nigerians who were so inspired that they stayed up for hours to cheer her on and show their support. That kind of support can make all the difference when you're pushing yourself to achieve something challenging.

What I find most inspiring about Hilda's achievement is the belief she had in herself. She knew that breaking the world record was possible and that she could be the one to break that record. That belief gave her the confidence she needed to keep going, even when others might have doubted her.

In a world where it can be easy to give up or settle for less than our best, Hilda's example reminds us of what we can achieve when we set our minds to something and put in the hard work. Let's all take inspiration from her example and push ourselves to achieve greatness in our own lives.

Congratulations Hilda Baci, and thank you for outdoing yourself on this one!