From historical past to the plate: Kings, queens and cocoa
Visitors started the night with a non-public tour of the Kings and Queens of Africa exhibit—an evocative journey by African management and symbolism. Sponsored by Valrhona, the exhibition highlighted the roots of cocoa inside broader narratives of heritage, energy and place. Because the tour transitioned into dinner, the night time’s central theme emerged: legacy isn’t one thing inherited—it’s one thing cultivated and shared.
Culinary expression underneath the dome
Beneath the long-lasting dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, six cooks—Hadrien Villedieu, Reif Othman, Kelvin Cheung, Khaled Al Saadi, Carmen Rueda and Brice Konan-Ferrand—curated a dinner rooted in storytelling and culinary togetherness. Brice Konan-Ferrand of L’École Valrhona Dubai led the dessert course with precision, mixing Cuvée du Sourceur Jamaica 70%, texture and narrative right into a closing assertion. Chef Carmen Rueda captivated visitors with a shocking creation impressed by each nature and artistry. She crafted an intricate dessert formed as a fragile rose, celebrating the chocolate from Cuvée du Sourceur Natural Ivory Coast 56%. This beautiful piece mixed the deep, wealthy flavors of the chocolate with refined notes of coconut, leading to a refined and fragrant profile. The rose form was a tribute to the spirit of the Louvre Abu Dhabi — merging positive artwork with the best strategies of recent pastry.
Every creation provided greater than style; it carried intention—merging native inspiration with world know-how. François Daubinet teamed up with L’École Valrhona Dubai to create a particular gifting field, which served as the proper completion for everybody concerned.
Design pondering in chocolate kind
Valrhona prolonged the expertise with three immersive activations:
• The Cocoa Room invited visitors into symbolic, fortune-inspired journeys.
• The Chocolate Essence Bar paired uncommon cocoa varietals with native flavors, exploring terroir by distinction and complement.
The chocolate forge, symbolizing the neighborhood bond we construct collectively, featured bricks meticulously crafted by Surya Menawan Abadi, an artisan specializing in brick manufacturing from Pejaten in Bali’s Tabanan area. This space is well known for its conventional Balinese crafts, significantly its high-quality bricks constructed from clay and fired in conventional kilns. This forge represents the connection between craftsmanship, the local people, Valrhona plantation, and the legacy Valrhona and cooks are constructing collectively.• Mixologist Enrique Minning crafted cocoa infused cocktails and mocktails, introducing a brand new language and inspirations.
The larger image
Le Fil Rouge was a hands-on expression of neighborhood. It confirmed how chocolate, framed by sustainability, tradition and innovation, can spark significant connections throughout cooks, artisans and concepts.
For Valrhona, it reaffirmed an funding within the area by its rising IMEA hub. For the broader business, it provided a well timed reminder: immersive experiences, when rooted in authenticity, can unite communities and encourage actual dialogue.
