“I Used To Be Homeless” – Hilda Baci Reveals As She Advices Young Women

Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has opened up about her journey to stardom and her ambitious plans for the future.

KanyiDaily recalls that on May 15, 2023, Hilda Baci broke the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time by an individual after smashing the previous record set by Chef Lata Tondon in Rewa, India in 2019.

The Akwa Ibom chef, who broke Tondon’s record of 87 hours and 45 minutes, cooked for 100 hours and 40 minutes to set a new world record as the first human on earth to spend such an amount of time cooking.

Although the Guinness World Record is yet to confirm Hilda Baci as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon, the chef is not only revolutionizing the culinary world but also inspiring others to overcome adversity and pursue their passions relentlessly.

During an interview with TVC, Hilda Baci shared the numerous challenges she faced on her path to success, revealing that she had experienced homelessness in the past.

She encouraged young women to defy societal stereotypes and pursue their dreams, stressing that individuals should not rely on others to create opportunities for them.

The chef said: “I need young women to see that there’s more to them than society’s stereotypes. There’s always that narrative that you can’t make it [without having others] create a platform for you.

“I’m saying this from an informed place because I used to be like that. For me, I needed to keep doing things with myself to show people that they can win as well. You can have a business, start cooking from home, and build that business properly to the point where you can open an outlet, expand that outlet, and branch out. But you need to do your due diligence. It’s not easy.

“Many people see this buzz now and think I dropped from the sky. They didn’t know I was homeless at some point. There’s an entire phase that got me here, and I am not even done.

“Away from all the buzz, I had plans to open a bigger space because we were outgrowing our space and we needed much bigger staff strength. I’m working on a cookware line. There are things and designs I don’t find. Some work for food vendors, home use, and content creators. I need to put a collection together. Nigerian food is so good. I have many students from across the world. I look [forward] to hosting masterclasses.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Hilda Baci had also appealed to Nigerians to focus on her ingenuity and determination in putting the country on the global stage, rather than criticizing her fashion choices.