bahrainthismonth.com | JUNE 2025 TOP CHEFS 25 Dona Maria Gemayeln CEO & FOUNDER Dona’s Wonders W.L.L. – the GCC’s first fully gluten-free restaurant Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your culinary journey? My daughter! She has a gluten allergy, so I whip up all her cravings, making sure she never feels like she’s missing out. What is your signature dish, and what makes it special? Our gluten-free croissant and keto brioche – one’s flaky and buttery, the other’s soft and dreamy. Total crowd-pleasers! What local Bahraini ingredient do you love working with most, and why? Black loomi. Smoky, tangy, and full of flavour – it brings serious depth to any dish. Who is the most memorable person you’ve ever cooked for, and why? Catering for royal flights – definitely a pinch-me moment! @donaswonders @donaswondersmanama @donasnoodles @ricebydona Junior Gomez EXECUTIVE CHEF Mirai Restaurant & Lounge Biggest inspiration in your culinary journey? My mum and my Japanese chef mentor, Yoshi Nakamura. Signature dish and what makes it special? Suzuki Togarashi – a delicate blend of citrus, umami, natural sweetness and a spicy kick from togarashi seven spices. Favourite local Bahraini ingredient and why? Baby Hammour! Super versatile – I’ve turned it into ceviche, grilled it with shiso, pan-fried it with ponzu, even made nigiri with perilla leaf. Most memorable person you’ve cooked for? His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard (I’m a huge Liverpool fan), Will Smith and Kim Kardashian. @chef_junior_insta
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