Cover Auro Chocolate partners with chef Nouel Catis
Auro Chocolate partners with chef Nouel Catis
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Tatler+
Tatler+
Auro chocolate taps the sweet talents of the acclaimed creator of the Dubai chocolate, chef Nouel Catis
In a significant move that bridges heritage, innovation, and global flavour, Auro Chocolate has officially partnered with esteemed Filipino pastry chef Nouel Catis—the imaginative mind behind the now-iconic Dubai chocolate. This long-term partnership marks more than a professional collaboration; it is the formal coming together of two inspired forces with shared roots and a common mission: to champion Filipino excellence on the world stage through chocolate. “It’s not just about chocolate—it’s about the continuous crossing of paths to elevate flavour profiles and celebrate creativity,” shares Catis.
Chef Catis, known for his imaginative and boundary-pushing pastry work, has been closely tied to Auro since its early days. Their working relationship has long been underpinned by mutual respect and creative synergy. “He was one of our earliest supporters when we launched in 2017. We then also worked with him to develop iconic dishes for Auro Café in the Middle East. It was a natural progression that just made sense, says Auro Chocolate co-founder Mark Ocampo. Catis’s role within Auro will go far beyond endorsement or co-branded products. With the Auro x Sna'ap partnership, he will help lead innovation efforts, and offer creative insight into product development. Together, they’ll develop new concepts that reflect both cultural pride and technical finesse, while staying grounded in the local palate and resonating with the wider international community.
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Above Chef Nouel Catis with Auro x Sna'ap Dubai Chocolate
Chef Nouel Catis with Auro x Sna'ap Dubai Chocolate
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Now, with this fresh partnership formalised, keep your eyes peeled for more sweet collaborations are on the horizon. In fact, this official partnership signals a new era, one that Auro describes as a “continuous crossing of paths” to craft flavour-driven, culturally rich experiences for a global audience. “The partnership with chef Nouel Catis is a natural evolution of a relationship that’s been built over time. [Now, we are even] co-developing the world-famous Dubai chocolate the Auro way,” divulges Ocampo.
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Above Chef Nouel Catis making the Auro x Sna’ap Dubai Chocolate
Chef Nouel Catis making the Auro x Sna’ap Dubai Chocolate
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Yes, you read that right, Auro will be the official manufacturer and distributor for Sna’ap (Catis’s chocolate brand) across Asia (for now), with the rest of the world to follow. With Sna’ap, chef Catis aims to celebrate the heritage of major cities around the world, those reflected through the vibrant expatriate communities in the UAE—while infusing distinctly Emirati-centric flavours into his creations.“We hope to bring Sna’ap greater visibility and have easier access for those who want to experience Sna’ap across the globe,” Ocampo adds.
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The re-tweaking of the iconic Dubai chocolate recipe will launch the truest iteration of Dubai chocolate, the way chef Catis envisioned it to be—now expressed through Auro’s use of Filipino, internationally recognised single-origin chocolate. “We balanced the sweetness of the chocolate, enhanced the roasted pistachio flavour notes and made it extra crunchy to deliver a more memorable and addictive experience,” Ocampo articulates.
Above Chef Nouel Catis with Auro Chocolate
Chef Nouel Catis with Auro Chocolate
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As a team they fuse their skillsets synergistically to amplify each other’s shared goals. “[This partnership] allows us to expand our lenses, be more creative, conscious and to think about what it is we’re doing, how we can improve and how to create greater impact for our brands and our culture as whole,” Ocampo voices. Together, they promise to deliver not just chocolate, but stories you can taste.
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About
Isabel loves to learn, and see things from different perspectives. Connecting with people and engaging in new experiences to broaden her horizons is what inspires this storyteller, keeping her constantly curious, and excited for what's to come. An absolute love for all things F&B ignited a hunger to devour content from this world and keeps her jumping into tasty adventures around the globe. From the beauty of simple bites, to nuanced fine dining tasting menus, street food, and the art of entertaining, the multi-faceted nature of the dining experience is something she can't get enough of. A good cup of coffee or a glass of wine paired with a dash of witty conversation is a quick way to win her over. This editor loves travelling, food, music, skincare, fitness, and is only friends with people who love dogs. Guilty pleasure?: Binge-watching TV shows and movies she has already seen.
Work
Concept creation is the name of the game and branding takes centre stage in Isabel's day-to-day schedule. From producing shoots, conceptualising bespoke projects for our partners, relationship management, to cooking up features and events for Tatler Dining, this editor is a tried and tested foodie at heart. She mainly writes content for Tatler Dining, engaging in captivating discussions with restaurateurs, chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts to tell must-know stories. Aside from that Isabel manages Tatler Dining's flagship events like Off Menu, or Cocktail Festival and puts together the Tatler Dining Guide, our annual listing of the best eats around town.
Follow her on Instagram @isabelvmf.
