Why Hilda Baci Might Not Get Guinness Record for Cooking Marathon

Hilda Baci, a Nigerian chef based in Lagos, has embarked on an ambitious project: a 97-hour cooking marathon. But even if she succeeds, it’s not a given that she will receive the coveted Guinness World Record. Here’s why.

Guinness World Records has a stringent process for validating and awarding world records. This process ensures that all records are verifiable, measurable, and, most importantly, breakable.

The Rigorous Verification Process

Before being recognized as a world record holder, applicants must provide robust evidence to support their claim. This usually includes video and photo evidence, logbooks, and potentially even witness statements.

In Hilda Baci’s case, she needs to document every second of her 97-hour cooking marathon, ensuring that all guidelines for this record category are adhered to. If there are any lapses in the documentation or if she fails to follow the rules, her record attempt may be invalidated.

The Cost of Recognition

Even if Hilda Baci adheres to the rules and provides ample evidence, she might still face obstacles in obtaining recognition. Guinness World Records offers two paths to apply for a world record: Standard Applications for individuals and Consultancy Services for organisations.

The standard application process is self-service and requires a wait time of up to 12 weeks for the review of evidence. Furthermore, it’s not designed for promoting a business, service, or organisation. On the other hand, the consultancy services provide a dedicated account manager and expert consultancy, but the cost of this service is significant, potentially limiting access for individuals like Baci.

Past Cases of Denied Recognition

Ed Pratt, a YouTuber known for his unicycle journey around the world, has shared his own experience with the Guinness World Record process. Despite pedalling a unicycle over 22,000 miles across four continents, Pratt did not receive a Guinness World Record. His story underscores the challenges and complexities involved in obtaining a Guinness World Record, even after achieving a significant feat.

“My name’s Ed Pratt and from March 2015 to July 2018 I pedalled a unicycle 22,000 miles around the world. Over that time I crossed 4 continents and performed over 12 million pedal rotations on my 40kg, 36’’ touring unicycle. When I finally returned home after 3 years, I became the first person to ever officially ride a unicycle around the world.” – Ed Pratt

In Conclusion

While Hilda Baci’s 97-hour cooking marathon is undoubtedly impressive, her journey to a Guinness World Record is far from over. She will need to navigate a complex process, supply rigorous evidence, and potentially bear significant costs. The Guinness World Record, while prestigious, does not come easy. Yet, whether she secures the record or not, Baci’s culinary marathon is a testament to her talent and determination.