Today's Edition
KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)
Delivering on a promise he made to Abu Dhabi a few months ago, the chocolatier behind the viral pistachio kunafa is ready to unveil his tribute to the UAE capital.
The Abu Dhabi Chocolate has arrived – landing at Aletihad News Center ahead of its official launch on November 7.
Chef Nouel Catis describes the Abu Dhabi Chocolate as his “love letter” to the city where his global career first took flight. He served as a chef for the UAE’s flagship carrier Etihad Airways for five years, before launching his own culinary consulting company in 2018.
“Abu Dhabi has always felt like home,” said Catis, the original creator of the viral Dubai Chocolate. “It’s the city that shaped my craft and opened my world. This chocolate is my love letter to its heritage, its artistry, and its quiet kind of beauty.”
In crafting his latest creation, Catis sought to combine tradition and innovation in a bar that reflects the city’s spirit, “refined yet welcoming, rooted yet global” as he puts it in a conversation with Aletihad.
The Abu Dhabi Chocolate offers flavours and textures that are both familiar and nostalgic. Some of its standout ingredients are staples of the local culinary scene, instantly recognisable in the first few bites.
Catis spent more than a year conceptualising and perfecting the Abu Dhabi Chocolate, a process that was rigorous and deeply personal.
“The idea first came to me in early 2024 while consulting for brands in the capital,” he said. “Development began soon after, blending Emirati heritage with refined craftsmanship.”
Through meticulous ingredient research and continuous tasting sessions, Catis aimed to develop a distinct flavour that could perfectly capture Abu Dhabi’s sophistication and cultural depth.
Details of the ingredients and flavour profile will be revealed when Catis officially unwraps the Abu Dhabi Chocolate on Friday.
“Every bite is a tribute to the flavours that define Abu Dhabi’s culture”, according to a statement from SNA’AP, Catis’ own brand of artisanal chocolates on what to expect of the stablemate.
“The chocolate is more than a treat – it is a piece of tradition, a taste of home, and a symbol of the city the continues to inspire,” it added.
