Bahraini chef Tala Bashmi - in pictures

  • Tala Bashmi receives the Highest Climber Award and comes in third place at Mena's 50 Best 2023, for her restaurant Fusions by Tala, in Adliya, Bahrain. Victor Besa / The National
    Tala Bashmi receives the Highest Climber Award and comes in third place at Mena's 50 Best 2023, for her restaurant Fusions by Tala, in Adliya, Bahrain. Victor Besa / The National
  • Bahraini chef Tala Bashmi is the only chef from the Middle East to be listed on the top 100 for The Best Chef Awards in Madrid in 2022. Photo: Mena's 50 Best Restaurants
    Bahraini chef Tala Bashmi is the only chef from the Middle East to be listed on the top 100 for The Best Chef Awards in Madrid in 2022. Photo: Mena's 50 Best Restaurants
  • Tala Bashmi won the first Middle East & North Africa's Best Female Chef Award in 2021. Victor Besa / The National
    Tala Bashmi won the first Middle East & North Africa's Best Female Chef Award in 2021. Victor Besa / The National
  • She was also a contestant on ‘Top Chef Middle East’ in 2020. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    She was also a contestant on ‘Top Chef Middle East’ in 2020. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • She helms the well-regarded restaurant Fusions by Tala at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain in Adliya, Bahrain. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    She helms the well-regarded restaurant Fusions by Tala at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain in Adliya, Bahrain. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Emirati sea bass tartare was part of chef Tala Bashmi’s one-off dinner menu at Boca, DIFC in 2018. Photo: Boca
    Emirati sea bass tartare was part of chef Tala Bashmi’s one-off dinner menu at Boca, DIFC in 2018. Photo: Boca
  • Bashmi makes modern interpretations of Bahraini dishes. Photo: Boca
    Bashmi makes modern interpretations of Bahraini dishes. Photo: Boca
  • Bashmi's Golden Goose dish, a Middle Eastern twist on chicken liver pate. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Bashmi's Golden Goose dish, a Middle Eastern twist on chicken liver pate. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Not only is Bashmi the only Arab on The Best Chef list, she's also one of only 18 women who have made it into the top 100 culinary talents across the globe. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Not only is Bashmi the only Arab on The Best Chef list, she's also one of only 18 women who have made it into the top 100 culinary talents across the globe. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Chocolate and pistachio, the classic combination cut with a tart whey. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Chocolate and pistachio, the classic combination cut with a tart whey. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Bouillabaisse curry with octopus, clams and seasonal seafood. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Bouillabaisse curry with octopus, clams and seasonal seafood. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Bashmi ranks 93rd on the top 100 list. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Bashmi ranks 93rd on the top 100 list. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Fish out of water is sous-vide salmon with mehyawa sud (local fermented fish sauce). Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Fish out of water is sous-vide salmon with mehyawa sud (local fermented fish sauce). Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Fusions by Tala at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Fusions by Tala at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • Back to the roots is a leek ravioli using all parts of the leeks, promoting root-to-stem cooking. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
    Back to the roots is a leek ravioli using all parts of the leeks, promoting root-to-stem cooking. Photo: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
  • From left, Giulia Sgarbi, deputy content editor, 50 Best; chef Izu Ani; chef Raz Rahav; chef Tala Bashmi; chef Moustafa Elrefaey; pastry chef Will Goldfarb; Kamal Mouzawak, founder of Souk El Tayeb and Tawlet; and William Drew, director of content, 50 Best at #50BestTalks in Abu Dhabi in February 2022.
    From left, Giulia Sgarbi, deputy content editor, 50 Best; chef Izu Ani; chef Raz Rahav; chef Tala Bashmi; chef Moustafa Elrefaey; pastry chef Will Goldfarb; Kamal Mouzawak, founder of Souk El Tayeb and Tawlet; and William Drew, director of content, 50 Best at #50BestTalks in Abu Dhabi in February 2022.