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    Delve into the world of artisanal chocolate making at Dubai’s Ganache Chocolatier

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    Life

    by Sarah Joseph
    2 hours ago

    With a first-of-its-kind chocolate factory right in the centre of Ganache Chocolatier in Alserkal Avenue, guests can now observe and experience first-hand the craft of artisan chocolate-making.
    Founded by Mouza Alabbar, this home-grown artisanal chocolatier celebrates the craftsmanship and wonder of hand-crafted chocolates made with the finest ingredients sourced from Switzerland, Belgium and France.
    To walk through the process of chocolate making, Emirates Woman spoke to Alabbar Enterprises’ Chef Joseph El Hajj on how Ganache Chocolatier focuses on artisanal chocolates crafted to perfection.
    How have your cocoa travels and experience in the industry contributed to your chocolate-making skills?
    Traveling far and wide, exploring cultures, and delving deep into the industry has been a game-changer for my expertise. Those journeys opened my eyes to the intricate world. I learned that each region has unique flavors, and this knowledge guides our meticulous selection process for Ganache chocolates. Moreover, my experience in the industry keeps us at the forefront of innovation and quality.
    The boutique features over 100 different flavors – which are most popular?
    Our boutique is a treasure trove of flavours, with something to suit every taste bud. Some favorites that customers can’t get enough of are the Almond Praline, Hazelnut Praline, and Pecan Praline. These chocolates strike a perfect balance of flavors and textures, and our customers adore them. Also, don’t miss our Za’atar Praline; it’s a fusion masterpiece that beautifully blends tradition and innovation, and it’s become a must-try.

    Ganache Chocolatier has a unique gift-wrapping station that customises boxes – how does this add to the bean-to-bar journey?
    Our gift-wrapping station is like the cherry on top of the Ganache chocolate journey. It’s where we add that personalised touch to each box, making it an experience, not just a purchase. By offering customised boxes with a variety of bespoke options, we are able to cater to all different occasions and needs. It reflects the care and precision from selecting the finest ingredients to crafting each piece with love. This station gives the final magical touch, turning a simple purchase into a memorable and heartwarming gift.
    Chocolate lovers can experience first-hand the craft of artisan chocolate-making – tell us more.
    At Ganache Chocolatier, we’re all about sharing the art of artisan chocolate-making with chocolate enthusiasts. Our on-site factory is where the magic happens, and we invite guests to come and see it firsthand. It’s an immersive experience that takes you behind the scenes, creating praline, ganache, and exquisite fillings in every chocolate piece. It’s educational and interactive, giving you a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into chocolate-making.
    The creations are all homegrown – can you expand on the creative and production process?
    The heart of Ganache Chocolatier lies in our commitment to homegrown creativity. We begin from scratch, managing every aspect of chocolate creation in our Alserkal Avenue factory. Our team lives and breathes the craft to preserve its authenticity, and our hands-on approach ensures unwavering quality and consistency.
    The boutique sources the finest ingredients from Switzerland, Belgium, and France – was this the plan from the outset?
    Sourcing the finest ingredients from Switzerland, Belgium, and France has been a fundamental part of our vision for Ganache Chocolatier from the very beginning. Our unwavering focus is on maintaining exceptional quality and product excellence. These exquisite ingredients form the basis for our distinctive chocolate, which includes Dulcey Valrhona, Caramelia Valrhona, Jivara milk Valrhona, Caraibe dark Valrhona, and Abinao 85 dark Valrhona. Our dedication to quality and taste has been our driving force since day one and continues to define our brand.

    With a fast-paced production – how do you ensure the quality remains consistent?
    Maintaining the highest quality amidst our fast-paced production is our top priority at Ganache Chocolatier. We do this through unwavering attention to detail at every stage of the chocolate-making process. Our dedicated team upholds the highest production standards. We follow strict quality control protocols and steadfastly adhere to our original vision of quality and excellence. Continuous monitoring, frequent quality checks, and a commitment to never compromise on the integrity of our chocolates allow us to deliver the consistent quality our customers know and love. We seek to elevate our craft, exploring new techniques, flavours, and innovations. We invest in research and development, learning from tradition and contemporary trends to refine our production methods. Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of chocolate-making, ensuring that every piece we create reflects the utmost refinement and excellence that Ganache Chocolatier stands for.

    The minimal interiors contribute to the refined experience, designed to resemble the colors, curves, and textures of the chocolate it creates – how does this add to the occasion?
    The minimalist interiors at Ganache Chocolatier are a deliberate choice to enhance the refined experience we offer. Inspired by our chocolate creations’ colors, curves, and textures, the space creates a sensory connection to chocolate. Our collaboration with Dubai-based architect and interior designer Ghida Chehab has added a layer of sophistication to Alserkal Avenue while preserving its industrial feel. As soon as guests enter, they embark on a chocolate journey that leads them into the world of Ganache Chocolatier. It deepens the overall experience, offering a visual and sensory delight that mirrors the essence of our chocolates.
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      Dubai’s Hyde Hotel brings an exclusive exhibition for all art lovers this season

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      2 hours ago

      With the perfect forecast for sought-after creativity in the UAE, Hyde Hotel will transform its penthouse into a hidden gem.
      Trailblazing artist Sophie Tea is all set to showcase her carefully curated whimsical art pieces themed Hydden Gem. To add to the emirate’s bourgeoning art industry, this hotel is always championing talented individuals to ensure the space is a welcoming haven for travellers from around the world.

      As a key disrupter in the artistic world, Tea has disrupted the traditional art experience by creating a niche for herself on social media. After garnering a cult fan base, she has focused on topics highlighting women’s empowerment that exude positivity and energy. With her signature splats and energetic drips, these noteworthy art pieces will be open for the public to see.
      “We are so excited for Hyde Dubai’s penthouse to be the next canvas for Sophie Tea’s art. We’ve always believed that there should be space for art everywhere so that more people can appreciate and be inspired by it,” said the General Manager of Hyde Hotel Dubai, Luke James.
      To further embrace Tea’s artistic spirit, guests can indulge in a host of love-inspired activations including a sophisticated high tea at Cleo, promising an expansive menu of delectable delights. To complement this experience, visitors can enjoy the al-fresco terrace set against the city’s iconic skyline featuring the world’s tallest building and Dubai Canal.
      The penthouse takeover is presented by Gone Rogue, a collective focused on bringing art to as many spaces and affecting as many lives as possible. To book this experience and visit this iconic art display until December 12, 2022, visit sbe.com
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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      The founder of Leila Heller Gallery discusses the key to investing in art pieces

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      30 mins ago

      Leila Heller has gained worldwide recognition as a pioneer in promoting creative dialogue in this part of the world and globally.
      After opening its first international location in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, this one-of-a-kind art gallery leaves a lasting impression on contemporary art and culture here in the Middle East.
      To understand more about the process of art curation, Emirates Woman spoke to Leila Heller, founder of the gallery about her approach to art.
      Talk us through your approach to curating an art collection.
      Collecting is definitely an art in itself and one has to be focused on the oeuvre and progression of artists they are collect- ing. There should be a theme or connection between the artists in one way or another. Personally, as a woman, I collect many female artists or art that has women as the subject. Some examples include Shirin Neshat, Marilyn Minter, Soraya Sharghi, Francesca Pasquali, Nan Swid, Mia Fonssagrives Solow, Rachel Lee Hovnanian, Ran Hwang, Mouna Rebeiz, Reza Derakshani, Gulay Semercioglu, Rob Wynn, Melis Buyruk, Hadieh Shafie, Aref Montazeri, and Ana D’Castro. I love abstraction but also texture and my collection have largely become based on materiality and what the work is made of. I also have a theme of modernist artists and contemporary masters such as Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Fernand Leger, Andre Lhote, Claudia Bravo, Marcos Grigorian, Manoucher Yektai, Farideh Lashai, Henry Moore, Gleize, Renoir, Matisse, and more.

      What advice would you impart to those starting their art collection?
      My biggest advice to art collectors is to love the work you buy. It has to be love at first sight. Then you do your research. Is it in a museum collection, part of biennales or curated shows? This shows the probability of the artist’s success going forward. But first and foremost, it must start with a passion and gut feeling.
      What is the most recent piece the gallery has added to its art collection?
      One of the most re- cent works I have added to my collection is Efe Alatin and Melis Buyruk, two Turkish artists who I have added personally to my collection but also to the gallery’s roster of artists.
      NFTs have rewritten the rules of the game. How has this impacted the art world?
      They became a craze but like many other trends, they have stabilised. Nonetheless, they have now been written into the canon of art history and definitely speak to this new age of technology. How do you suggest collectors take care of their pieces? In order to keep works of art in perfect condition for years to come, the best is to make sure they are not exposed to extreme temperatures of heat or cold as that can damage paintings, works on paper, and sculptures. Additionally, any work on paper should be behind a museum glass so that any sunlight does not discolour the paper and any bronze or metal sculptures should not be exposed to extreme humidity as they may rust. When cleaning art a feather duster is a good idea to gently remove dust from sculptures and paintings. No chemical cleaners or solutions should be used to clean any artwork at home.
      What value can working with an art consultant have on the curation process?
      This is a tricky question as there are different types. I know many extremely professional art advisors who are very educated in the field of art and have great experience working in museums, galleries, or other respectable art venues. Then there are others who call themselves art consultants without true knowledge of the art world, art history, or the art market, but use their connections to sell art. There are very honest and straightforward art advisors who have a fee structure they discuss with the client in advance and try their best on behalf of their client to negotiate down the price. However, there are many art consultants who get fees from both sides which aren’t done professionally. It is misleading in every way and prejudicial as they are paid from both sides. An art consultant can impose their own views on their client, so a client has to be aware and do their own due diligence and research to make sure it is a beneficial purchase. Some- times art consultants can be biased in their recommendations due to financial gain. How- ever, I do work with many art consultants who are extremely knowledgeable and helpful to both the buyer and the seller. If one would like to hire one, they should make sure to do their research to find a reputable person.

      What is your approach to art curation for an event?
      As I have worked in several museums, I have been trained as a curator. This experience has been a big help to me in curating my own shows in the gallery or curating shows in other venues and locations. I will come up with a concept or idea, and every artist I choose has a connection to the theme. A well-curated exhibition is a delight to view and a badly curated exhibition can be a detriment to the exhibition and the artist it features. Every show in my gallery, unless I have a guest curator, is curated by myself and I take great joy in doing so. The placement is all hand-chosen by me and I try to always find the synergy between each work included. When I work with a collector, I also often curate the works in their home, placing the works to create a dialogue between them and ensuring everything flows. Lighting and framing are big components of a well-curated exhibition. Works need to have room to breathe and show themselves in all of their glory to create a cohesive presence.
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