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I was on my period the entire time of my 100-hour cooking marathon which made it extra hard – Hilda Baci
Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci in an exclusive interview with TV3, has revealed the challenges she faced during her extraordinary journey to the cooking feat that lasted for 100 hours.
According to the restauranteur who has become an international sensation, the goal to set a new Guinness World Record, showcasing the richness of Nigerian cuisine through more than 55 recipes and over 100 meals was fraught with her experiencing her menstrual cycle and cramps.
Due to this, she had to take showers during her breaks to change and maintain personal hygiene. As she, further explained, being on her period reduced the time she had for rest, complicating an already strenuous endeavour.
“I was on my period the entire time and I think that sort of made it extra hard. What that meant was it took away from the time I had to rest,” she told 3 Entertainment Correspondent AJ Sarpong.
Despite enduring intense cramps, Baci’s determination and willpower propelled her forward.
“Now I was trying to wrap up because I get 5 minutes after completing every one hour so if I stand for 12 hours I get one hour to rest and I still have to do all my medical checks,” she explained “Because I was on my period I had to take my shower every break I had even if I had 30 minutes I had to take a shower that time because I needed to change”
Her situation was also a source of worry to her father who knew the extent to which her menstrual cramps could affect her but she soldiered on. According to her, conquering this physical hurdle further fueled her belief that she can overcome any challenge that comes her way.
“My dad was worried because I have horrible cramps so just pushing through that I was like if I’ve conquered this I can conquer anything,” she added
Baci commenced her nonstop cooking marathon on Thursday, May 11, 2023, and continued tirelessly until Monday, May , 15, 2023 captivating onlookers with her culinary skills and unwavering determination.
While the Guinness World Record committee still needs to verify if all the criteria have been met, Baci’s exceptional achievement has already earned her international star status.
The previous record to surpass was set in 2019 by Indian chef Lata Tondon, who cooked continuously for an impressive 87 hours and 45 minutes.
Tondon also took to social media to express her support for Baci during her record-breaking attempt, fostering a sense of camaraderie among culinary enthusiasts worldwide.
Throughout the 100-hour cooking spree in Lagos, Baci’s spirits remained high, evident in her energetic dancing and enthusiastic interaction with the crowds of fans who rallied to support her.
Her unwavering commitment to promoting Nigerian cuisine and her passion for sharing its flavours with the world has made her an inspiration to many.
Credit:3xtra.tv
Ghana Tourism Authority is leading Ghana’s participation at ITB Berlin, which opened in Berlin with a vibrant national pavilion highlighting Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, tourism destinations and investment opportunities.
March 5 has been designated as Ghana Day, a special platform to promote Ghana’s languages, cuisine, Kente, festivals and business prospects to the global tourism community. The stand has already drawn strong interest with traditional arts and crafts displays, immersive multimedia presentations and popular Ghanaian snacks.
Seven private-sector players are exhibiting alongside government officials as part of efforts to deepen trade partnerships, expand market access, and attract investment across the hospitality, heritage tourism, ecotourism, and creative arts sectors.
Ahead of the official opening, the Ghana delegation also engaged young Ghanaian investors in Germany in collaboration with V Afrika-Verein and the Ghana Embassy, strengthening diaspora investment linkages and highlighting opportunities within the tourism value chain.
Ghana’s coordinated presence at ITB Berlin 2026 reinforces its strategy to position the country as the Gateway to Africa and a competitive destination for leisure travel and global investment.
The Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has expressed concern over delays in the release of the District Assemblies Common Fund, warning that the situation is stalling development across the country.
On his facebook page, he described as a matter of urgent national importance, the Minority Chief Whip pointed to what he sees as a growing crisis of unpaid contractors, abandoned projects, and halted infrastructure works in many districts.
He noted that several communities are grappling with half completed schools, unfinished health facilities, abandoned markets, deteriorating roads, and stalled sanitation projects.
According to him, many contractors who have executed projects for district assemblies have not been paid, forcing some construction firms to demobilise from sites while workers lose their jobs.
He stressed that the District Assemblies Common Fund is not a discretionary allocation but a constitutional requirement under Article 252 of the 1992 Constitution, intended to support development at the local level.
In his view, years of delayed releases and accumulated arrears have weakened district development financing and disrupted projects meant to improve living conditions in communities.
He further argued that some payments made in recent years were largely the settlement of old debts rather than funding for new or ongoing projects, a situation he believes has affected contractor confidence and local economic activity.
He described the issue as more than a budgetary challenge, characterising it as a development emergency and a governance concern.
He therefore urged the appropriate authorities to pay outstanding DACF arrears, settle contractors who have completed their work, and ensure that transfers to districts are automatic and predictable.
He maintained that decentralisation can only succeed when district assemblies receive adequate and timely funding to carry out development projects.
He emphasised that stalled projects directly affect ordinary citizens, since they rely on such infrastructure for education, healthcare, transportation, sanitation, and economic activities.
He called for renewed attention to grassroots development, insisting that national progress should not be concentrated only in major cities but extended to all communities.
By: Jacob Aggrey
