
Tala Bashmi has put Bahraini cuisine on the global map with her bold reinterpretations of traditional dishes. A former aspiring footballer, she found her true calling in the kitchen, overcoming challenges in male-dominated European kitchens before making her mark in Bahrain.
Previously, as head chef of Fusions by Tala, she reimagined classics like bamia with wagyu beef cheek and okra ‘glass’, earning recognition as MENA’s Best Female Chef (2022) and a UN Ambassador for Gastronomy Tourism. In 2025, she received the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award, solidifying her status as a leading voice in modern Khaleeji cuisine. Now, with new projects ahead, her influence continues to grow.