AFNAN RASHID AL ZAYANI, is a Bahraini national, married with four children. Afnan Holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology from Texas Tech University – USA.
In 1977, she joined Bahrain Flour Mills Company as a Quality Control and Research Supervisor.
In 1982, she joined AlZayani Investments W.L.L. as Group Executives Controller. In 1995, she became the Director of ALZayani Commercial Services W.L.L., a division of AZI group. In 1996, she became AZI board member. From 1999, she became the owner and President of Al Zayani Commercial Services W.L.L. . She is also a partner and Director of Martinizing Laundry W.L.L. since 1998.
Between 1996 - 2012, she was a board member of several private companies and a member is several Government committees.
From 2007 to date, Afnan has been a member of the Supreme Council for Women in Bahrain.
In 2004 ,Afnan received The Best Business Professional in the Middle East Award.
In 2005, she was selected by Forbes magazine as one of the strongest 50 women in the Middle East.
Afnan has been also active in several social and business societies. From 2002-2004, she was the President of Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society and a board member from 2002-2016.
From 2001- 2012, she was a Founding Member and Secretary to the Board of Bahrain Businessmen’s Association.
From 2006 - 2018, she was a board member of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she also headed the Businesswomen’s Committee at the Chamber from 2005-2018.
From 2009-2012, she was the first President of the MENA Businesswomen’s Network and was re-elected for the same position from 2023 - 2025.
In addition to being a businesswoman, Afnan Rashid Al Zayani has also published seven cookbooks.
In 1983, she published Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah, the first cookbook published in Bahrain, followed in 1988 by A Taste of the Arabain Gulf, the first comprehensive guide to Gulf cooking in English. In 2023, the ninth and fourth editions of the above two books were respectfully published.
In 1992, she received Bahrain National Achievement Award in recognition of her efforts in preserving the Arabian Gulf traditional cuisine.
In 1994, she published Ma Lath Wa Tab featuring Middle Eastern and International cuisines.
In 2004, Afnan published Latha’ath Afnan, based on her TV cookery series, Latha’ath 1,2,3,4 and 5. She began her cookery programmes from Bahrain TV in 1986 with Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah, followed by many programmes, one of which was Gulf Delights in English. In 2007, she presented Ramadan Attyab on MBC TV.
She has also presented several programs on Qatar TV, the latest was Afnaniyat in 2008.
In 2010, Afnan received the Gourmand World Cookbook Award for her publication Afnaniyat, for the Best Arabic Cookbook published in 2009.
From 2012- 2025, she has presented Let’s Cook with Afnan series on Bahrain TV shining on Bahraini food entrepreneurs.
In 2014, she published Aeesh Wa Malh , main courses and savouries cookbook.
In 2013, Afnan was awarded the Medal of Efficiency by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In 2015, she published Ya Halawa , dessert cookbook.
In 2017, she was the first woman to be awarded by Rowad AlFiker wa Elebdaà Society.
In 2018, she was selected as one of the top 30 Inspiring Bahrainis.
