Suppliers

TASTING SUCCESS WITH BANOPURATOS

Serine Jaroudi, regional marketing manager of BanoPuratos Middle East, discusses the road to success, future products and gives us a sneak peek into the latest sustainable products by Belcolade.

What is behind the success of BanoPuratos?

Over the years, BanoPuratos has been driven by trust within its community and by passion for innovation. Since we are the go-to company, we turn market trends, technologies and experiences into business opportunities. What can you tell us about the latest sustainable Belcolade products?

At Belcolade, we are building a truly sustainable future for cocoa, defined by the Cacao-Trac program, with a game-changing strategy that focuses on tastier chocolate and better value for all, from farmers to consumers. Our exceptional fermentation expertise, with an unparalleled international If you were to invite chefs to try Belcolade products, what would you say?

Belcolade, the real Belgian chocolate, has the ability to delight chocolate experts, offering the world’s chocolatiers, pastry chefs and bakers a wide range of premium chocolate to inspire them. Do you have any upcoming projects?

Thanks to BanoPuratos’ 100 years of experience in developing products suited to the local market, as well as its expertise within its UAE, we will be releasing innovative products for the region banopuratos.com

SHAMAA: A NEW CANDLE CONCEPT

Shamaa, a UAE-based brand offering unique handmade candle boards, is the brainchild of Cynthia Choueiri Bahout. Here, she tells us more about the concept.

How can the hospitality and foodservice industries use your products to be on-point?

Our candle boards create an instant “wow” factor as soon they are placed somewhere. Picture them placed at the entrance of a prestigious hotel, instead of a flower arrangement that requires constant network of post-harvest centers, is key to creating superior chocolate.

maintenance. You can personalize your board to the hotel colors and theme, and the candles can be replaced throughout the seasons. Now, we even provide the option of replacing some candles with glass tubes to add unique dried flowers in order to enhance the look. The possibilities are endless. We offer an innovative, creative and unique product that will leave an impact on customers and clients dining at your restaurant, passing through or staying at your hotel. Candles bring an instant sense of warmth and class that will be instantly recognized and seen when someone walks into your establishment. Your candles are handmade in the UAE. Are you able to accept large orders in the Middle East?

Yes, definitely! We have spent several months perfecting our product, through trial and error and reviews from clientele. We are confident in our production line and our operation.

We personally deal with our manufacturer and follow up with him on a daily basis. We have already catered to very large events and B2B orders for over 100 pieces in Saudi Arabia

Do you have new products in development or any expansion plans?

We are currently working toward expanding our product base. We create our products

IN BRIEF

Karam Wines shines at 2021’s Top 50 Vineyards in the World World’s Best Vineyards has unveiled the very best wine tourism destinations across the globe in a ceremony that took place on September 20 at Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, Germany. The World’s Best Vineyards list aims to highlight established and emerging wine tourism destinations, and the list is voted by the academy of 600 global wine and travel experts. This year saw 10 new destinations in the top 50, with Karam Wines in Lebanon grabbing the highest new entry, reaching number 14 in the list. karamwines.com

from scratch. It is of the utmost importance that our consumers purchase a product that is safe, useful, beautiful, reusable and noble. Due to this, the process is very time- consuming. So stay tuned because we are launching a big Shamaa line consisting of products across a broad price range in order to cater to different clients. shamaa.com

Read the full interview on hospitalitynewsmag.com

EMF AND BARRY CALLEBAUT OPEN THE CHOCOLATE ACADEMY CENTERTM, BRINGING CHOCOLATE EXPERTISE TO THE GROWING MIDDLE EAST REGION

EMF and the Barry Callebaut Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, inaugurated the relocated CHOCOLATE ACADEMYTM Center Dubai, which is now at the foot of the Burj Khalifa.

This new location and facility will enable chefs and artisans to showcase and develop their talent and skills. As the CHOCOLATE ACADEMYTM Center Dubai is part of the wider CHOCOLATE ACADEMYTM Center network, with 24 academies across the globe, it will provide the best platform to bring renowned chefs to Dubai to inspire, train and advise local artisans.

Amine Mebrouki, general manager Middle East and North Africa, said: “The chocolate market is recovering in the Middle East region. The CHOCOLATE ACADEMYTM Center Dubai supports local businesses to find the right chocolate solutions to help them win in the market. From empowering women and young talents, to supporting new concepts: The CHOCOLATE ACADEMYTM Center Dubai is the place to be in the Middle East region for everything related to chocolate.” chocolate-academy.com

MOMENTS OF EXQUISITE SWEETNESS AT VALRHONA’S PARTY

On the occasion of the Dubai Expo 2020, and after 18 months of business challenges, Valrhona invited Cercle V members and distributors on October 26 to spend time and enjoy delicious moments with the latest innovations from Valrhona Selection’s Brands: Valrhona, Norohy, Sosa and Chocolatree. During the party, attendees enjoyed numerous forms of entertainment at SoBe W The Palm in Dubai, UAE. valrhona.com

FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS ON THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU MOST, read it first on hospitalitynewsmag.com

WHAT A CHEF WANTS

Chef Zyad Hilal likens a meal at Mais Alghanim to a French farandole, a community dance where every movement flows. Here, diners, servers and chefs move in time. Forks and knives drum out the evening’s tempo on plates, as trays filled with much-anticipated meals pass left and right. Chef Hilal knows the meal’s crescendo is the Certified Angus Beef ® steaks, be it the tenderloin steaks, piccata with a rich mushroom Duxelles or beef medallions. They make the dining experience all the better.

“We always look for quality because our clientele expects it,” Hilal says. “There is nothing better than Certified Angus Beef ® steaks on the menu.”

His journey to Mais Alghanim began at campouts during his youth, which led him to culinary school at Ecole Hôtelière in Lebanon. He cooked Lebanese and oriental therefore, adding the Certified Angus Beef ® is essential,” he says. “Good food never fails to bring people together.” Mais Alghanim has locations today in Kuwait City and Mahbuola, where customers continue to enjoy Certified Angus Beef ® steaks, and the restaurant’s atmosphere and rhythm.

Guests at Mais Alghanim do not mind waiting in line, sometimes up to 40 minutes, for one of the 800 seats in the two-story restaurant. The lure is more than a meal; it is an experience defined by quality, from the Certified Angus Beef ® steaks to the atmosphere and service.

cuisines in Italy and Africa before returning home to Kuwait. He joined Mais Alghanim, owned by Barakat Foods, as the corporate executive chef in 2014.

Great guest satisfaction is guaranteed through Chef Hilal’s attention to detail and unyielding focus on fine flavors. When customers started asking for beef dishes at the restaurant, he naturally aspired to serve the finest beef.

“The flavor of the tenderloin is always the best for customers, which is why I like it,” Hilal says. “After chargrilling, the Certified Angus Beef ® tenderloin stays moist for guests to enjoy each bite.” Mais Alghanim offers customers more beef options for catering and barbecue menus, such as Certified Angus Beef ® ribeye and strip loin. “We are always keen to develop and enhance our continental menu dishes; Who is Certified Angus Beef?

The original Angus beef brand. Based in Wooster, Ohio, and owned by family farmers and ranchers, we’re more than just Angus beef. Only the very best makes our cut. We set strict standards to certify every bite is tender, juicy and full of flavor, whether you’re cooking at home or dining at the best steakhouse. It’s why we’re the world’s most trusted beef brand and have been since 1978.

For more information, visit CertifiedAngusBeef.com