DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — The Barry Callebaut Group, Zurich, Switzerland, opened its flagship Chocolate Academy center. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it will be the first-of-its-kind training center in the Middle East and the 17th in the company’s network of such centers worldwide.

The new Chocolate Academy center will showcase the knowledge accumulated over more than 150 years by Barry Callebaut’s global Gourmet chocolate brands Callebaut (Belgium), Cacao Barry (France) and Carma (Switzerland).

It is offering a diverse range of seminars, demonstrations, theoretical courses and practical workshops, designed to inspire artisans and culinary professionals, including chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakery and other chocolate experts as well as culinary professionals working in hotels, restaurants and the catering business. The center also will serve as a meeting place for chocolate professionals encouraging the exchange of technical expertise among each other.

French chef Philippe Marand will share his experience in the art of chocolate as Head of the new Chocolate Academy center in Dubai.

“With our new Chocolate Academy center we aim to empower all chocolate professionals in the region to create and express themselves beyond the technical barrier with this wonderful material, which is chocolate,” Mr. Marand said. “Chefs and confectioners hardly find an occasion or a place where they can further develop their skills, learn from experienced expert teachers and exchange new ideas among each other. Our new training center for chocolate here in Dubai is such a place. It is a unique place where we are cultivating an atmosphere of curiosity, creativity and inspiration for both professionals and chocolate lovers.”

For Frederic Trombert, vice-president of Barry Callebaut’s Gourmet division in the EEMEA region, the new Chocolate Academy center is an important element in further strengthening the company’s footprint in Dubai as well as in the Middle East region.

“We believe this new Chocolate Academy center will become the beating chocolate heart for chefs and foodies not only in Dubai but in the whole Middle East,” Mr. Trombert said. “This will bring us closer to our customers, helping them to reinforce their daily know how to become unique by using our products.

“We want to be here because we want to support the excellence at the highest level. To inspire craftsmen, to discover new technics, new tastes, new combinations, and ultimately, we also want to provide the knowledge platform for young talents.”