Cover Try all three desserts by chef Nouel Catis, the Filipino talent behind the viral Dubai chocolate (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
Try all three desserts by chef Nouel Catis, the Filipino talent behind the viral Dubai chocolate (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
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Chef Nouel Catis (the original creator of Dubai chocolate) is in Manila to launch his limited-edition collab with AF Hospitality’s A Mano, Ramen Ron, and Steak & Frice
AF Hospitality, a trailblazing restaurant group in the Philippine F&B scene founded by Amado Forés, excitedly shares the news of their latest sweet collab. This time, they invited pastry Filipino chef Nouel Catis from Dubai to develop three unique desserts for their concepts: A Mano, Ramen Ron, and Steak & Frice.
Chef Nouel Catis is the creative force behind the iconic and viral Dubai chocolate, famed for its rich velvety chocolate paired with fragrant (and eye-catching) pistachio and the highly textural kataifi. “This collaboration between chef Nouel, our pastry chef Chico Glendale Orcine, and the head chefs of our three restaurants reflects everything we stand for—innovation, heritage, and joy,” shares Forés. “It’s been such a rewarding process working together, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience how we’ve reimagined Dubai chocolate across all our concepts.”
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Dubai chocolate soft serve from A Mano (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
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At AF Hospitality’s three signature brands, you can expect the following limited-edition sweet treats from April 11-June 11, 2025:
A Mano: Dubai chocolate burrata soft serve coated with melted dark chocolate and served in a housemade dark chocolate-dipped waffle bowl with a pistachio-kataifi crunch, topped with crushed pistachios and roasted kataifi.
Ramen Ron: Dubai chocolate handmade mochi filled with milk chocolate and pistachio namelaka, then topped with velvety pistachio sauce, crispy roasted kataifi, and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios.
Steak & Frice: Dubai chocolate crêpe filled with crunchy pistachio-kataifi and drizzled with dark chocolate and pistachio cream, finished with roasted kataifi and toasted pistachios.
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Above Chef Nouel Catis, the Filipino talent behind the viral Dubai chocolate (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
Above Try Chef Nouel Catis’s Dubai chocolate burrata soft serve at A Mano (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
Chef Nouel Catis, the Filipino talent behind the viral Dubai chocolate (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
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Catis is known for his fearless fusion of nostalgic flavors and cutting-edge technique, earning international acclaim for redefining the boundaries of pastry. From his cult-favorite pistachio kunafa (also spelled “knafeh”) to his signature chocolate creations, Catis continues to innovate in the world of desserts. “This initial collaboration has been instrumental in inspiring us to reimagine and innovate our recipes, ensuring they resonate deeply with Filipino tastes and preferences,” Catis explains. “People around the world may associate my name with Dubai chocolate or pistachio kunafa, but chocolate is just one chapter in my culinary story.”
More than just a celebration of a viral dessert, this partnership serves as a cultural homecoming. For Catis, it’s a deeply personal return to his roots—and a chance to introduce his global innovations to a Filipino audience with elevated, thoughtful flair. “This launch in the Philippines had to make a powerful impression,” Catis adds. “AF Hospitality already has a stunning dessert repertoire, so collaborating with them was the perfect opportunity to blend our strengths. My pistachio-kunafa recipe, reinterpreted for this context, was a natural place to start.”
See also: Meet the bartenders behind Recraft: Lester Fuentes and Cedric Mendoza
Above Chef Nouel Catis with the AF Hospitality team (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
Chef Nouel Catis with the AF Hospitality team (Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality)
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And for those looking to make more out of this experience, AF Hospitality invites guests to try out their dessert passport programme. Here, guests can collect a stamp with each Dubai chocolate dessert they enjoy at A Mano, Ramen Ron, or Steak & Frice, and win a complimentary SNA’AP chocolate bar (Catis’s signature product) once they’ve tried them all! These limited-edition bars will also be available for purchase exclusively at AF Hospitality restaurants throughout the collaboration period.
The initiative is not only a culinary celebration but also a step toward sustainable impact. A portion of proceeds from the collaboration will support MAD Travel’s AgroForestry Program in partnership with Dumagat Cacao farmers, reinforcing the team’s commitment to social responsibility and community-driven progress.
The entire partnership highlights not only AFH’s devotion to innovation but also its belief in the transformative power of food to tell stories and spark joy. They proudly celebrate Filipino culinary talent, passion, and imagination on a global scale.
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.
