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SBS Australia
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Meet the chef who created the viral Dubai chocolate
His humble, unassuming demeanour wouldn't give away the fact that he's responsible for millions of dessert dreams. But Dubai-based chef Nouel Catis exudes a quiet confidence that is telling. Catis, who works as a culinary consultant after decades as a chef in five star hotels and restaurants around the world – including at the Burj al Arab, often considered the pinnacle of hospitality – is the pro who was tasked with coming up with a 'chocolate that is also a dessert' back in 2023, by the founder of Dubai-based dessert atelier, Fix Chocolate . Speaking about his inspiration behind the Dubai chocolate bar, Catis tells SBS, 'As a chef, my role is to come up with a plan, a thought process, formulate a recipe where you put things together based on what people believe could be interesting, and make it a solid idea. 'Out of all the ideas we were discussing, I picked these ingredients because I'm all about the UAE or Middle Eastern heritage being captured as a chocolate or as a dessert, that's my USP. Of course, the chocolate went through a lot of changes since it was conceptualised, and lots of innovations to become what it is right now.' The creation shot to instant fame thanks to some social media magic – it was unashamedly created for Instagram, with its vivid visual appeal – first locally, then globally. And the craze doesn't show any sign of letting up, even fuelling a global pistachio shortage! According to the , prices have surged from $7.65 to $10.30 a pound in one year. Having prompted a series of 'dupes' around the world – including here in Australia and, reportedly, biggies like Lindt jumping on the trend, it appears everyone wants the unlikely taste of chocolate with pistachio paste, tahini, and the pastry crunch of Middle eastern dessert knafeh through it, no matter what the cost. Explaining that the creation is an ode to the flavours of the region, Catis says, 'I decided to put these flavours together inspired by the idea of nostalgia. It's not a common thing to use in desserts, but I noticed that in Lebanon, people enjoy eating dates and tahini together. The flavours resonated with me personally too. I've been living in the UAE for 16 years, and I enjoy Middle Eastern desserts – especially kunefeh. That's what triggered the thought process of creating something unique.' Catis has since parted ways with the Fix chocolate – who only sell their chocolate through Instagram at fixed times during the day via delivery app Deliveroo, the 'hard to get' strategy adding to the chocolate's allure. In the meantime, he has opened his own boutique chocolatier, Sna'ap, offering something similar - but taking things to the next level, with a focus on pure, premium ingredients. Named after the sound the chocolate is supposed to make when cracking a bar open, he sells them via Instagram and out of a pop-up chocolate bar on a popular waterfront promenade in Dubai. 'Blending the flavours of the Middle East, with say, the European or Western, and making it relatable to this community, that has always been at the forefront of our creations,' he says. 'My focus is all about showcasing the flavours of the UAE to the world, that has always been my reason for doing this. Not only Emirati flavours, but other flavours too – because we have so many different cultures here in Dubai… we have Indian, Filipino, French, British, so many… 'But our point of difference at Sna'ap is keeping things as pure as possible. You don't want a chocolate with a lot of mystery ingredients in it!' To that end, he has continued to innovate with flavours like strawberry fields (white chocolate infused with freeze dried strawberry), Kadak chai (cardamom flavoured), salted caramel camel chocolate and to mark Ramadan in 2025, ube baklava – a true expression of Dubai's multiculturalism. 'Sna'ap is all about being creative, and also respecting heritage,' he continues. 'But I want this to be more than just a viral chocolate. It has to be something that you crave for every day. You can buy it anytime and you enjoy it as a snack basically. It's a new nostalgia.' Wondering where to buy Dubai chocolate in Australia? Unfortunately, the OG can only be purchased in Dubai, but you can find multiple local versions in stores around Melbourne and Sydney, and online. Jason Atherton's Dubai Dishes Watch now Share this with family and friends
Arabian Business
09-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai Duty Free records $565mn in first-quarter sales after strong February performance
Dubai Duty Free has reported first-quarter sales of AED2.06 billion ($565 million), supported by a record February, which contributed AED709 million ($194 million) in monthly sales. The February result marks a new monthly record, with average daily sales of AED25.3 million ($6.93 million). 'We are very pleased with our sales for the first three months of the year, especially in February when daily sales reached an average of AED25.3 million ($6.93 million) and kept pace with passenger growth. A lot of credit goes to our hard-working team of staff who achieve sales targets on an ongoing basis,' Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said. Dubai Duty Free highlights perfumes, confectionery as top categories The top five performing categories for the first quarter were Perfumes, Liquor, Tobacco, Gold and Confectionery. Perfume sales reached AED371 million ($102 million), contributing 18 percent of total revenue. Liquor followed with AED258 million ($71 million) in sales. Tobacco recorded an 11 percent year-on-year increase to AED220 million ($60 million). Gold sales increased marginally to AED212 million ($58 million), accounting for 10 percent of total revenue. Confectionery took the fifth spot for the first time, posting a 57 percent increase over the same period last year, with sales reaching AED207 million ($57 million), also contributing 10 percent of total revenue. Dubai Duty Free records surge in chocolate sales in Q1 2025 Cidambi attributed much of the category's growth to the performance of Dubai-branded chocolate products. 'The remarkable success of the 'Dubai' chocolate offering has contributed significantly to the surge in the Confectionary category with specialty brands such as Fix Chocolate, Locali, I Love Dubai, Bateel and Al Nassma collectively generated sales of AED80.4 million ($22 million). That figure represents over 1.2 million individual chocolate bars sold in the first quarter of 2025,' he added. Sales in the renovated Arrivals shops reached AED125 million ($34 million) during the first quarter. 'We are very pleased with the newly renovated and refurbished retail shops in Terminals 1 and l 2 Arrivals with Terminal 3 Arrivals shop 4 due for completion next month. These enhancements are already elevating our Arrivals business,' Cidambi said. Dubai Duty Free plans to expand its retail operations throughout 2025, including new luxury brand boutiques in Concourse A featuring Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel. The company will also host events in the second quarter of 2025. The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials will take place at Newbury Racecourse in the UK on April 11 and 12. The UAE Nationals Cup is scheduled for May 3 at the Montgomerie Golf Club.
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
February sales of AED 709mln ($194mln) lift Dubai Duty Free first quarter over 2024
Following record sales in 2024, Dubai Duty Free has announced first-quarter sales of Dhs2.06 billion (US$565 million). The sales growth was largely driven by an exceptional February, which set a new sales record for the month of Dhs709 million (US$194 million). Commenting on the first quarter sales performance, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: 'We are very pleased with our sales for the first three months of the year, especially in February when daily sales reached an average of Dhs25.3 million (US$6.93 million) and kept pace with passenger growth. A lot of credit goes to our hard-working team of staff who achieve sales targets on an ongoing basis.' Perfumes, Liquor, Tobacco, Gold and Confectionery held the top five spots category-wise with Perfume sales reaching Dhs371 million (US$102 million) and contributing 18% of total revenue. Liquor followed with sales of Dhs258 million (US$71 million), while Tobacco increased by 11% over the same period last year with sales amounting to Dh220 million (US$60 million). Gold increased marginally with sales amounting to Dhs212 million (US$58 million), contributing 10% of total revenue. Confectionery showed robust growth, taking the fifth spot for the first time with a 57% increase over the same period last year, with sales reaching Dhs207 million (US$57 million) and contributing 10% of total revenue. 'The remarkable success of the 'Dubai' chocolate offering has contributed significantly to the surge in the Confectionary category with specialty brands such as Fix Chocolate, Locali, I Love Dubai, Bateel and Al Nassma collectively generated sales of Dhs80.4 million (US$22 million). That figure represents over 1.2 million individual chocolate bars sold in the first quarter of 2025,' added Mr. Cidambi. In addition, recent renovations in the Arrivals shops have led to sales hitting Dhs125 million (US$34 million) in the first quarter. 'We are very pleased with the newly renovated and refurbished retail shops in Terminals 1 and l 2 Arrivals with Terminal 3 Arrivals shop 4 due for completion next month. These enhancements are already elevating our Arrivals business and strengthening the Liquor category,' said Mr. Cidambi. Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to bolster its retail offering throughout 2025, which includes the opening of boutiques in Concourse A featuring luxury brands such as LV, Cartier and Chanel. The events calendar is also busy with upcoming events, including the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials taking place at the Newbury Racecourse in the UK on 11th and 12th April, followed by the UAE Nationals Cup taking place at the Montgomerie Golf Club on May 3rd. -Ends-
