A Nicaraguan Chef’s Journey from Managua to Dubai
Amid Dubai’s futuristic skyline and cosmopolitan dining scene, Gabriela Chamorro has achieved a milestone for Central American gastronomy: the opening of Girl & the Goose, the first restaurant in the city dedicated to flavors from the region. Located at Anantara Downtown Dubai, the restaurant blends heritage, resilience, and cultural storytelling through food.“For me, this restaurant is the culmination of years of passion, hard work, and faith in the power of food to tell stories,” Chamorro shared.
Roots in Nicaraguan Tradition
Chamorro’s culinary journey began in her childhood in the Máximo Jerez neighborhood of Managua. While other children played with dolls or toy cars, she played with pots, pans, and wooden spoons. “My kitchen was the space where tradition, family, and culture came alive,” she recalls. Her greatest inspiration came from her grandmother, an intuitive cook who transformed humble ingredients into soulful meals.“She taught me that food carries memory—that each dish tells a story, and that cooking is an act of love and rebellion,” Chamorro emphasizes.
Her dishes today evoke memories of ancestral traditions: her great-grandmother grinding corn, Holy Week meals simmering over fire at her grandfather’s house, and the vibrant markets of Managua filled with voices and colors.
A Global Journey Back to Cooking
Although passionate about cooking, Chamorro initially pursued a career in Diplomacy and International Relations in Managua. After graduating, she worked as a flight attendant for 13 years, an experience that exposed her to global cultures and cuisines across Asia and the Middle East.“Tasting the flavors of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines reignited my childhood passion,” she explained.
Her formal culinary training started as self-taught, then advanced with studies at the Culinary Institute of Barcelona. In 2024, she trained at MAD Academy and completed internships at Michelin-starred restaurants including Geranium in Denmark and Kol in London.
From Supper Club to Restaurant
The seeds of Girl & the Goose were planted in 2019, when Chamorro launched a clandestine supper club that brought people together in intimate spaces for curated dining experiences. “The response was so positive that the dream of a permanent space began to grow,” she recalls. Alongside her husband, she developed the restaurant concept. The turning point came when she partnered with Ziad and Rowan Kamel, founders of Rosy Hospitality Group, who believed in her vision. By March 2025, Girl & the Goose officially opened its doors in downtown Dubai, becoming a cultural and culinary bridge between Central America and the Middle East.A Culinary Ambassador for Central America
Chamorro views her restaurant as more than a business—it is a cultural mission. Through every plate, she shares stories of memory, migration, and identity, positioning Central American cuisine within one of the world’s most dynamic culinary capitals.“Cooking has never been just about food. It has always been about connection. And that’s what I bring to every guest who walks into my restaurant in Dubai,” she says.
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