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    Go behind-the-scenes with the founder of Dubai’s viral chocolate

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    Life

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 seconds ago

    Co-founder of Dubai’s Viral chocolate, FIX Dessert Chocolatier, Sarah Hamouda shares her journey as an entrepreneur.
    What inspired you to launch FIX Dessert Chocolatier?
    My journey to launching FIX began with a really intense pregnancy craving for something unique and delicious that I couldn’t find in stores. This sparked the idea: why not create my own chocolate bars that go beyond the ordinary? I wanted to craft a special product that combined my passion for culinary arts with unexpected flavours and textures. It wasn’t just about making chocolate; it was about creating an experience that would make people say, “Wow, this is different!” And that’s how FIX was born—a fusion of my love for innovative desserts and my entrepreneurial spirit.

    How have your revious roles supported launching FIX?
    Before launching Fix Dessert Chocolatier, I had a diverse career in business, primarily in the education sector, where I consulted for Ministries in the Middle East. This experience honed my leadership skills and strategic thinking. My love for travel has introduced me to various cultures, inspiring me with their unique flavours and traditions. I’ve always had a passion for creating and innovating, and finally decided to merge my business expertise with my desire to craft unique experiences. This journey with FIX allows me to express my creativity daily and share my passion for chocolate with the world.
    All your bars are handmade – how important is the quality of ingredients to you and why?
    Quality and consistency are everything for us! Each of our bars is handmade, and we take immense pride in selecting only the best ingredients. We believe that the true flavour and texture of our chocolate can only shine through with high-quality components. When a bite is taken from one of our bars, it should be a transformative experience — rich, indulgent, and unforgettable. We’re committed to using premium ingredients that elevate the overall experience, ensuring that our chocolates are not just treats, but memorable moments.
    After going ‘viral’ scaling to match demand takes grit – how do you maintain quality?
    It’s been quite a wild ride since we went viral! What started as just my husband and I in our kitchen has rapidly grown into a larger team, which we plan to expand further. The surge in demand has been both exhilarating and overwhelming, especially after that viral TikTok video! To maintain quality, we focus on streamlining our processes without compromising on craftsmanship. We’re constantly exploring ways to increase our production capacity while ensuring that each bar reflects the love and care we put into it. It’s definitely a balancing act, but our commitment to quality always comes first.
    The flavours are all inspired by the Middle East – tell us more.
    Our flavours are a celebration of different cultures and traditions in the Middle East. We draw inspiration from beloved treats like dates, baklava, and knafeh, while also embracing experimentation and innovation. The beauty of Dubai is its melting pot of cultures, allowing us to mix local favourites with global influences. For instance, we incorporate ingredients like cardamom and saffron into our chocolates, creating combinations that are both familiar and intriguing. Each flavour tells a story, and we love sharing it with our customers.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum created a bespoke – how did this feel in terms of achieving recognition as a brand?
    Collaborating with His Royal Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum was truly a surreal experience! It was an incredible honour to craft a unique flavour tailored to his personal taste, particularly one featuring Emirati Halawa. The whole process took months of development, and seeing our work recognised by someone so influential in the community was incredibly humbling. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do. The support from His Royal Highness fuels our passion and motivates us to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of creativity.

    What advice would you give to your younger self?
    If I could speak to my younger self, I’d definitely say, “Don’t hold back—embrace your creativity!” There were times I hesitated to pursue my culinary dreams because I was focused on my corporate career. Looking back, I realize that blending my business expertise with my passion for food has been one of my most fulfilling journeys. I’d encourage myself to trust in my vision and be fearless in pursuing what truly excites me. Life is too short not to follow your passion!
    “It’s all about creating meaningful connections and delivering an experience that resonates with people.”
    What is next for FIX?
    We’ve got some really exciting plans in the pipeline! The community we have built has been incredibly vocal about wanting more flavours, especially after the launch of our Midnight Edition. Based on their feedback, we’re already brainstorming new combinations that will keep our offerings fresh and innovative. Plus, we’re eager to expand beyond Dubai, with plans to launch in Abu Dhabi on Deliveroo. It’s a thrilling time for us, and I can’t wait for our fans to experience what we have coming up.
    Currently, the only way to purchase our bars is through this partnership has been a game-changer for us, as it allows our fans to have our chocolate delivered right to their doorsteps—making it incredibly convenient. Before this partnership, our delivery options were quite limited, but now customers can enjoy our desserts on-demand. We’re thrilled to be able to reach more people and make it easier for everyone to indulge in our chocolate!
    This is ‘The Precious Issue’ – what are the precious qualities necessary to succeed in business?
    I believe that resilience, adaptability, and genuine passion are absolutely essential for success in business. The journey is often filled with ups and downs, so having the grit to push through challenges is crucial. It’s also important to stay connected with your community—listening to their feedback helps guide your growth and keeps your offerings relevant. Ultimately, it’s all about creating meaningful connections and delivering an experience that resonates with people.

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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      9 of the most delicious desserts to try in Dubai

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      9 of the best editor-approved desserts in Dubai

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      Have a special occasion coming up? Order from this UAE-based cake haven

      by

      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      57 mins ago

      Why settle for the ordinary when it comes to indulgent cakes to celebrate a special occasion. For a host of decadent creations, The Mandarin Cake Shop offers a series of in-house delights in the heart of Dubai.
      With a menu curated to suit all taste buds, the café has a myriad of cakes to choose from including, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Caramel Cake, Japanese Mixed Berry Cake, Hazelnut Glanduja Cake and Black Forest Cake.
      Made in-house by a team of highly-skilled pastry chefs, the cakes, chocolates and sweets are definitely going to be talking points at your next event. They look as incredible as they taste. Ice teas and coffees are available to complete the experience at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah.

      Emirates Palace – Le Cafe Retail Cake Shop
      Beyond the world of cakes, guests can indulge in a selection of the finest tea blends from around the world, complemented by fabulous pastry creations and savoury classics all situated in Episodes, the newest dining destination at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, designed to take guests on a culinary journey. With tea apothecary in Episodes 1, artisanal sandwiches in Episodes 2, a pastry-lover’s delight in Episodes 3 and decadent gelato choices in Episodes 4, this one-of-a-kind space is sure to take visitors on a journey of exquisite culinary choices.

      So, whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, graduation or looking for a sweet treat a special someone, you know exactly where to order from. Available to eat in, in an elegant lounge-style environment or to take home to enjoy, The Mandarin Cake Shop’s creations are almost too beautiful to eat.
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      in diet and nutrition

      This Dark Chocolate & Date Fudge Is The Perfect Healthy Treat

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      This decadent twist on an old classic is bound to do the trick. This will be your go-to easy fudge recipe for anything from a date night or picnic with friends to a healthy treat for when the cravings hit.

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      Dark Chocolate And Date Fudge Recipe

      This decadent, yet healthy dessert only has 4 grams of sugar and is the perfect treat for any occasion.

      Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 0 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 64 servingsCalories 51 kcal

      1 Baking pan1 Food processor
      Non-stick cooking spray1 cup pitted Medjool dates1 tsp pure vanilla extract1/4 tsp kosher salt1 3/4 cup 70 percent dark chocolate, melted1/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned, and very roughly chopped1/4 tsp flaky salt
      Lightly spray a 20x20cm baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides; spray paper.Soak dates in boiling water for 10 min; reserve ½ cup liquid, drain, and transfer to a food processor along with vanilla extract and kosher salt.Add ¼ cup reserved liquid and puree, scraping down the sides and adding additional reserved liquid as necessary to blend, until smooth. Add chocolate and puree until smooth.Transfer mixture to the prepared pan, top with hazelnuts and ¼ tsp flaky salt. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. Cut into 2.5cm squares. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

      Keyword chocolate, healthy

      *This article was originally published on Women’s Health US More

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      in diet and nutrition

      This Beetroot Chocolate Cake Is So Moist It Doesn’t Even Need Icing

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      Looking for a healthy food take on chocolate cake? This light chocolate cake is gorgeous and moist as is, with no need for sugary ganache or icing.
      Chocolate cake can be deadly for your kilojoule count, since it’s packed with sugar, refined flour and oil. But you can easily substitute for a higher fibre flour, like oat or chickpea flour, that doesn’t compromise on texture and flavour. Also, try substituting sugar for honey or another sugar-free alternative for a sweet, decadent treat that won’t break the kilojoule bank.
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      What You Need

      250g cooked beetroot
      200g butter
      200g 70% dark chocolate
      4 tbsp hot espresso
      135g wholewheat flour
      1 tsp baking powder
      3 tbsp cocoa
      5 free-range eggs, separated
      150g castor sugar or sugar replacement

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      Method

      Preheat the oven to 180°C.
      Grease a 20cm nonstick cake tin with a little Spray and Cook and line the bottom of the tin with baking paper.
      Purée the beetroot in a food processor.
      Heat the butter and chocolate in a microwave for 10 seconds at a time, or until just melted, then pour in the hot coffee and leave to cool slightly.
      Sift the flour, baking powder and cocoa in a bowl and set aside.
      Separate the eggs, then whisk the yolks in a bowl until frothy.
      Stir the eggs into the chocolate and butter mixture and fold in the beetroot.
      Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold in the sugar.
      Fold the sugar and egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the flour and cocoa mixture.
      Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

      SERVES 8. Per 158g serving: 2 215kJ, 34g fat (20g sat), 48g carbs, 140mg sodium, 4g fibre, 9g protein
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