By james art 
Iris Rohas and Ayas Panyagua learned this week that their Dominican restaurant in Irving is serving some of the best scents in Texas.
Irving, Texas – Anaes Panyagua’s dreams took her from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx in New York to Central Texas and now to Irving. And this week, the American dream she built with her mother Iris Rohas received a very big impetus.
“Whoever chose Donja Maria, thank you very much,” Panyagua said at the restaurant on North Machatart Blvd., named after a beloved grandmother back to her home country.
This week, the Dominican Cuisine Restaurant was selected as a semi -finalist for a prestigious James Beard award in the Texas category for the best chef.
“I have no idea,” Panyagua said with laughter when asked how they were selected. “I guess someone came and liked the food obviously. But I have no idea how the name entered this room.”
But this is a room and a dream, they have made for themselves. Panyagua was 10 years old when her mother brought her her and an older sister to the United States from Santo Domingo to the Dominican Republic.
Initially settled in the Bronx. But teenager Panigua wanted more. So, she became a US citizen and joined the US Army, serving in Kentucky, Korea, and finally in Kilin. After their seven years of service, she and her mother began to create a Dominican dishes in their homemade kitchen. It became so popular that they opened their first restaurant in Kilin.
“The military has taught me so much,” she said. “How to be durable, how do I make plans, how to adapt when things don’t go your way. So I’m grateful for everything I learned in the military to be honest with you. It was one of the best things which I could have ever done.
Three years ago, they brought Donja Maria to Irving. As with any restaurant, there were ups and downs, financial challenges and more. But their restaurant, complemented by the patio, television screens that offer breathtaking images of their former Caribbean House and a menu that would make the original Doña Maria proud, are in constant success.
“Everyone started calling my mother Donja Maria,” Anais laughed. “So, although this is not her actual name, she is now Doni Maria.”
“I am very happy, very happy,” Iris Rohas said of James Beard’s continued success and recognition.
And happy that they can also distribute this message. He is in Neon in Spanish and Dominican’s jargon on the wall of the dining room. “DIOS TE DA to ‘Lo Que Tu Le Pida, Nama’ Tiene Que Cree.” Translated by Matthew into the New Testament writes “God gives you everything you ask him for, you just have to believe it.”
“So I have the feeling that there is an opportunity for everyone. You just have to dream, believe and praise God for everything you can do,” Ayas said.
And armed with some hard -to -win recognition, they will do whatever they can do to keep Donja Maria’s American dream alive alive
“Yes,” said Ayas Panyagua. “It’s an extremely great week.”
The finalists for the James Beard Awards in 2025 will be announced on Wednesday, April 2, and the winners will be announced at the James Beard Award ceremony and cooks on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.