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Callebaut opens Dubai Chocolate Academy

Barry Callebaut has announced the opening of its new Chocolate Academy centre. Located in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the company says that it will be the first of its kind training centre in the Middle East and the 17th in the company’s network of such centres worldwide. The centre offers a range of seminars, demonstrations, theoretical […]

Barry Callebaut has announced the opening of its new Chocolate Academy centre. Located in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the company says that it will be the first of its kind training centre in the Middle East and the 17th in the company’s network of such centres worldwide.

The centre offers a range of seminars, demonstrations, theoretical courses and practical workshops, designed to inspire artisans and culinary professionals, including chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakery and other chocolate experts as well as culinary professionals working in hotels, restaurants and the catering business. The centre will also serve as a meeting place for chocolate professionals encouraging the exchange of technical expertise among each other.

French chef Philippe Marand will share his experience in the art of chocolate as head of the new Chocolate Academy centre in Dubai.

“With our new, globally the 17th Chocolate Academy centre we aim to empower all chocolate professionals in the region to create and express themselves beyond the technical barrier with this wonderful material which is chocolate”, said Marand. “Chefs and confectioners hardly find an occasion or a place where they can further develop their skills, learn from experienced expert teachers and exchange new ideas among each other. Our new training centre for chocolate here in Dubai is such a place! It is a unique place where we are cultivating an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity and inspiration for both professionals and chocolate lovers.”

For Frederic Trombert, Vice President of Barry Callebaut’s Gourmet division in the EEMEA region, the new Chocolate Academy centre is an important element in further strengthening the company’s footprint in Dubai as well as in the Middle East region.

“We believe this new Chocolate Academy centre will become the beating chocolate heart for chefs and foodies not only in Dubai but in the whole Middle East. This will bring us closer to our customers, helping them to reinforce their daily know how to become unique by using our products,” he said. “We want to be here because we want to support the excellence at the highest level. To inspire craftsmen, to discover new technics, new tastes, new combinations and ultimately we also want to provide the knowledge platform for young talents.”

Centrally located in Ontario Tower, the Business Bay region – one of the most booming areas in Dubai next to the Burj Khalifa – the new Chocolate Academy centre is claimed to feature the most innovative equipment and utensils to be found in the world’s best schools.

The new Chocolate Academy centre in Dubai will be integrated into the network of the Barry Callebaut Group’s 16 other training centres around the world. About 38,000 professionals and artisans receive training at these Chocolate Academy centres every year.