Hilda Bassey, also known as Hilda Baci, the World Guiness Record holder for the longest cooking marathon, has pledged to keep working to put Nigeria on the global culinary tourism map.
Baci made the assurance at the Nigerian Gastronomy Festival Gala Night in Abuja, which was hosted by the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).
Nigeria, she believes, will dominate the global culinary industry with government support.
She claimed that, if properly developed, the food industry could generate as much revenue for the country as the oil industry. Bassey praised Niho Tour for encouraging people to improve their cooking skills.
“As I always say, the food industry is like the oil industry. Nigeria will undoubtedly become a food tourism destination; give it another five years, and we will be on our way to greatness.
“With everything happening now, giving people the opportunity to express themselves through food and hospitality, it is a beautiful development that is taking us to that enviable height. In my own small or large way, I will continue to work to put Nigerian cuisines on the map in order to bring more positive attention to Nigeria as a whole; just let people know what we have and are capable of,” she said.
Baci set the record for the longest individual cooking marathon at 93 hours and 11 minutes. The 26-year-old Nigerian chef began on May 11 and lasted four days, cooking over 100 pots of food.
She attempted to break the 100-hour mark, but nearly seven hours were deducted from her final total because she took an extra minute for one of her rest breaks early in the attempt.
NAN
