Manama, Dec. 20 / BNA / Tala Bashmi, often referred to as the soul of modern Bahraini cuisine, won the award for Best Chef in the Middle East and North Africa 2022.
The Sponsoring Chef of Fusion by Tala in Manama, Chef Tala will take home the inaugural award at the first edition of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa, in Abu Dhabi in February.
This coveted award forms part of the Top 50 organizations’ mission to honor female models in the culinary industry and represents the first previously announced award for the 2022 MENA Top 50 Restaurants Program.
More than 200 independent experts in the restaurant industry and gourmet experts from across the region have voted for the award. Organizers said none of the sponsors had any influence on the voting process.
The Best Chef Award in the Middle East and North Africa aims to support and promote inclusivity in the culinary field and provide an opportunity for female role models to inspire future generations of young women to reach the heights of their chosen profession.
A passion for creating nostalgic culinary experiences for her guests drives Bahrain-born and Switzerland-trained Tala.
She learned about Middle Eastern cuisine and cultural identity from her father, Ibrahim Bashmi, through his deep knowledge of the ingredients used.
She said, “I first realized that I wanted to be a chef when I fed someone one bite; and I saw pure joy on their faces. Nothing could replace that.”
“My family has always inspired me with ingredients and dishes. So I thought I should legitimize myself, study and work in order to become the best chef that I can be.”
This teaching quickly turned into an invitation as Tala witnessed first-hand the joy that a well-prepared dish can bring. Starting her career with a home business called Baked by T, Chef’s Sweets became especially popular in Bahrain, gaining many fans.
After this initial success, Tala joined the Academy of Culinary Arts in Lucerne, Switzerland, where she obtained an MBA in International Business in Culinary Management.
During her time in Europe, she held roles at Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois and Michelin-starred restaurant Prisma, learning how to manage restaurant operations as well as work in fast-paced kitchen environments.
Upon her return to the Middle East, Chef Tala participated in the popular MBC Show Top Chef (Middle East and North Africa) program on MBC, wrapping up the finale and showcasing the modern Bahraini cuisine for which she is known.
Acquired by Fusions by Tala, in the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain, in September 2017, the concept takes pride in experimenting with ingredients and techniques used around the world and incorporating them into local Bahraini dishes.
The restaurant was renovated and relaunched under the name Fusion by Tala in February 2020.
“The whole experience starts as soon as you step out of the elevator,” Tala said. “We have a wonderful balcony where we invite our guests to enjoy a pre-dinner drink.”
“We then bring in our guest to start their dining experience; the first thing that will catch their eye is the open kitchen. I designed the restaurant to be a focal point, for people to watch us perform, watch us in a symphony platter.”
Signature innovations include okra, traditional okra and meat broth developed using cut-up pieces, and refreshed with wagyu beef cheek, crunchy okra glaze and tomato broth rice, to capture the essence of the original dish.
Tala feels she should use her skills to make sure there are no limits to her passion, no limits to her creativity.
“Being a chef means I can do what I love every day. My philosophy is to reshape the way people see food, by creating focus and setting the stage. I see what we do as a performance and what we do as giving is to show, an experience I hope you won’t forget.”
“So my goal when opening the restaurant was to sort of re-educate my local audience and show my food and our food in a new light. And to foreigners who had never experienced or tasted our food before, to learn about our memories and our history.”
Tala went to the traditional market from a young age, fascinated by smells, fascinated by sounds, fascinated by colours. For her, they are always an endless source of inspiration.
“Bahrain is an island, we are surrounded by the sea, and we love seafood. It is also a culture in which we make the most of what we have. We try to make it sufficient and available to everyone. What I am trying to do is create this culinary renaissance for Middle Eastern cuisine and Bahrain in particular.”
Her dedication to Bahrain’s culinary heritage has been recognized internationally.
“It is a huge honor to be awarded the Best Female Chef of all time as part of the 2022 Mena Top 50 Restaurants Opening,” Tala said.
“It has always been my dream to put my culinary heritage on the global map, highlighting it not only within the MENA region but across the world. One of my main goals as a chef is to bridge the gap between fine gastronomy and simple food, making every meal a journey. “
William Drew, Director of Content for 50 Best, said the Best Female Chef Awards series “celebrates chefs whose skills, creativity and dedication to the industry reach new heights.”
“Chef Tala embodies the spirit of this award with her unwavering commitment to highlight Bahraini cuisine around the world while modernizing many of her traditional dishes at the same time. She is a huge winner of the title of Best Chef in the MENA region and we are so excited to celebrate she, along with With top chefs and restaurants from across the region, at the Awards Gala in Abu Dhabi in February.”
The Middle East and North Africa 50 Best Restaurant Awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, will be hosted in the UAE capital on February 7, with the support of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT).
The first edition of the 50 Best Restaurants MENA event programme, including the award ceremony and menu reveal, provides a unique opportunity for chefs, gourmets, food and travel media outlets from across the region to gather and celebrate cuisine. Hospitality, while promoting the culinary power and diversity of the region for a global audience.
Other previously announced prizes in the run-up to the inaugural event and unveiling of the 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa 2022 will include the Foodics Icon Award on January 11 and the One To Watch Award on January 25.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is driving the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fueling economic progress and helping realize Abu Dhabi’s broader global ambitions.
Working in partnership with organizations that define the emirate as a leading international destination, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi strives to unify the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate efforts and investment, provide innovative solutions and use the best tools, policies and systems to support culture and tourism. The vision of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscapes. It promotes Abu Dhabi’s position as a place of originality, innovation and unparalleled experiences, exemplified by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.