Member of The Guild of Food Writers
Member of The Guild of Food Writers

Ooh la la…Chocolat…

Dubai, October 22nd, 2010: As I set off on my road trip to Ras Al Khaimah yesterday, I had visions of one of my favourite movies ‘Chocolat’, with Juliette Binoche (flanked by Johnny Depp of course) stirring chilli pods into her chocolate ganache. You’re probably wondering how on earth chocolate relates to Ras Al Khaimah. Well believe it or not, the emirate plays host to the only Swiss chocolatier in the Middle East, Daniel Hutmacher, a seasoned hotelier by trade, and now the owner of L’Atelier de Chocolat, hand producing preservative-free designer chocolates right here in the U.A.E.

From the small atelier set-up, him and his team including chocolatier Serge Decrauzathand (previously Executive pastry chef for famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten) make chocolates for corporates, hotels, airlines and private clients, as well as selling a limited range through QuickDubai and Mange Tout. Great to see L’Atelier is HACCP (international hygiene standard) compliant, no mean feat here in the U.A.E.

Daniel took me on a guided tour of the boutique premises, and I was astounded by the simplicity of the production process. The chocolate is sourced from the some of the best suppliers of cocoa beans in Switzerland, and once shipped to RAK, production begins. Chocolat’s USP is that all ingredients are natural and completely preservative free, whether that’s the fresh fruit ingredients such as the passion fruit that Serge was blending during my visit, or right through to the numerous spices, and teas used.

Now did you know that chocolate should be stored at an ideal temperature of 18 degrees celsius? – so forget the old wives tale of never storing chocolate in the fridge. For home users, Daniel advises putting chocolate in a sealed tupperware container and into the fridge, remove it an hour or so before serving and you’re good to go. Now no tour would be complete without tasting the product itself…I sampled a host of chocolates from coconut, pina colada (without the rum!), chestnut, rooibos tea, tarte tatin and my favourite raspberry and chilli. Chocolate surely does get those feel-good endorphins going…I was in seventh heaven.

Chocaholics like FooDiva will be pleased to hear that a series of retail stores are planned across the region starting with Dubai – I wonder if Johnny Depp will pop in.

Now considering I had breakfasted on exquisite chocolate, I am not quite sure why I decided to stop off at Banyan Tree Al Wadi for lunch, but the FooDiva in me was determined to try it…given I was in the vicinity of course. The resort opened earlier this year in Wadi Khadeja, and to be honest the grounds and facilities looked a tad barren and not particularly welcoming.

Anyhow, my objective was a quick lunch at the resort’s all-day dining restaurant Al Waha (oasis). Weather was beautiful enough to sit outside and I ordered a salad of grilled sardines wrapped in prosciutto, on a bed of rocket and pan fried red onions with wholegrain mustard and orange dressing – topped with a parma ham wrapped grisini stick. The combination of sardines with prosciutto really intrigued me, and I must admit the juiciness of the fish and the salty pork did the trick. Service was attentive without being obtrusive. If you’re en route to RAK or returning to Dubai and need a quick bite do pop in – it’s only seven kilometres off Emirates road.

A bientot. FooDiva. x

  • Posted under
    Chocolate, Food Features, Ras Al Khaimah

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One Response to “Ooh la la…Chocolat…”

  1. Janet Wood October 25, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    I have rocket, parma and sardines so must give it a go. It will have to be ‘chez Wood’ not Dubai.

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