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World Chocolate Day: Celebrating Chocolate Through Wellness, Balance and Meaningful Indulgence

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World Chocolate Day is a celebration of one of the world’s most cherished ingredients—one that transcends cultures, generations, and traditions. While chocolate is often associated with indulgence, it is increasingly being appreciated as part of a balanced lifestyle, where quality, mindful enjoyment, and craftsmanship take precedence over excess.

By Twinkle Aswani

Chef Thirumalai Murugan, Cluster Executive Chef, Mövenpick Hotel JLT & Riva Beach Club

Dark chocolate, particularly varieties with a high cocoa content, contains naturally occurring antioxidants known as flavonoids, which have been associated with supporting heart health and overall wellbeing when enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. As consumers become more conscious about what they eat, there is a growing appreciation for premium chocolate made with quality ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and authentic craftsmanship.

For chefs, chocolate represents far more than sweetness. It is an ingredient that tells stories, evokes memories, and creates emotional connections through food. Whether paired with fruits, nuts, spices, or floral notes, chocolate continues to evolve as a versatile ingredient that bridges tradition with innovation.

“A World of Chocolate: Exploring the Stories Behind Every Bite”

Chef Thirumalai Murugan, Cluster Executive Chef, Mövenpick Hotel JLT & Riva Beach Club

Reflecting on chocolate’s cultural significance and timeless appeal he shares to us that chocolate to him has always felt like a universal language, in every country I have cooked in, and every kitchen I have worked in, chocolate carries a different story.

In Switzerland, where Mövenpick’s heritage began, it is precision and craft, generations of chocolatiers perfecting the art of conching to create that unmistakable smoothness. In India, where I grew up, it is often layered into celebrations, folded into sweets during festivals or given as a gesture of warmth between families.

In the Middle East, I have seen it paired with dates, pistachios and rosewater, a beautiful meeting point between two very different culinary worlds.

What draws me to chocolate as a chef is that it is never just an ingredient. It is a memory. A single bite can carry someone back to a childhood kitchen, a festival table, or a gift shared between family. That is the magic of it. Chocolate holds onto emotion the way few other ingredients can.

At Rohini, our approach to dessert follows the same philosophy that shapes the rest of our menu, honouring Indian heritage while leaving room for creativity and surprise. Chocolate gives us a wonderful canvas for that, a familiar ingredient that can still hold onto the flavours and memories closest to home.

Our Rasmalai with rose and white chocolate cream is nostalgic with a European touch, our Warm Chocolate Brownie with Kulfi pairs nutty chocolate with hazelnut kulfi and chocolate sauce, and our Chocolate Coated Pistachio Kulfi with a dash of rose rounds it off, three small stories about where chocolate can take you.

For Chocolate Day, my hope is that people slow down and taste with curiosity. Ask where the cacao came from, how it was made, who it might have passed through before reaching the plate. Every bar and every bonbon carries a journey, farmers, roasters, chocolatiers, chefs, each adding their own chapter.

That, to me, is the real joy of chocolate. It connects people across cultures and generations, one bite at a time.”

This World Chocolate Day, the celebration is not about giving up indulgence—it is about redefining it. Choosing quality over quantity, appreciating the journey from cacao bean to dessert, and savouring each bite mindfully allows chocolate to become part of a more balanced and wellness-focused lifestyle.

After all, the healthiest indulgence is often one that is enjoyed slowly, shared with others, and remembered long after the last bite!

Hospitality

Turkish Airlines Finalizes Order for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft

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Turkish Airlines has finalized an agreement with Boeing for up to 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, marking another significant step in its long-term growth strategy. In the talks since 2025, the agreement will be flag carrier’s largest ever Boeing single-aisle aircraft order and will support its fleet expansion strategy while strengthening its short- and medium-haul network.

The agreement for the 737 MAX order was finalized in the presence of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye.

 The order comprises 100 firm Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement also includes substitution rights for the Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, providing Turkish Airlines with greater flexibility to align capacity with growing passenger demand across its network.

 Commenting on the agreement, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof Murat Şeker stated: “This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our hub in Istanbul. We are pleased to build on our longstanding cooperation with Boeing through an agreement that also supports Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.”

President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Stephanie Pope stated: “This order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines. We’re proud to continue our support of Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem and Turkish Airlines as it grows its Istanbul-based network, connecting more people and destinations worldwide.”

  The new aircraft will strengthen the flag carrier’s short- and medium-haul operations, particularly on high-demand domestic and international routes. The Boeing 737-8’s range, payload flexibility along with 20% reduced emissions and fuel consumption will support the flag carrier’s evolving operational requirements as it continues to expand its fleet and network.

 Turkish Airlines (including AJet) currently operates more than 200 Boeing aircraft, consisting of the 737 MAX, 737 Next-Generation, 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 777 Freighter. The latest order further strengthens the longstanding cooperation between the flag carrier and Boeing, building on the 75 787 Dreamliner order from 2025.

 In addition to this milestone agreement, this year Turkish Airlines and Boeing also signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Participation, establishing a framework for long term cooperation structured around three key pillars: Skill Development, Value Creation and Business Awards. Through these pillars, the framework aims to support capability development, technology and know-how transfer, human skill development, enhance sustainability journey and generate new business and industrial cooperation opportunities.             Together with the industrial participation framework, the agreement reflects Boeing’s long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem, broadening the scope of the partnership beyond fleet expansion

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Hospitality

New Season, New Flavours: Society Unveils a Brand-New Menu in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

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Society is welcoming the new season with a brand-new menu, packed with fresh flavours and made for sharing. It launches at Society DXB on 29 September and at Society AUH on 2 October.

The new menu is designed for the moments that make up a good week: a relaxed catch-up after the school drop-off, a corporate eat-out with the team, or a long table with family and loved ones as the season turns.

Something for every hour of the day

From a warm morning Spread of pancakes, french Toast and turkish eggs, to shareable starters like miso eggplant dip and cumin lamb dumplings, the new menu has something for every craving. Crust lovers can dig into the carbonara or mediterranean lamb, while bowls, stacked & smeared bring comfort favourites like the teriyaki salmon bowl and double smash burger. Finish sweet with nutella Haze, sticky date or the pastry display and little ones get their own kids Menu, from chicken nuggets & fries to sliders.

A table for everyone

Whether it’s a slow morning with friends, a business lunch or a family gathering, the new Society menu is an invitation to sit down, slow down and enjoy the season.

Offer Details: Launch Date: 29th September for Society DXB and 2nd October for Society AUH, Locations: Society Dubai, Jumeirah 1 and Society Abu Dhabi, Al Mamsha, Al Saadiyat Operational timings: Society DXB runs daily from 8AM -9PM, whilst Society Abu Dhabi is open from 8AM-10PM Sundays-Thursdays and 8AM-11PM, Friday and Saturday.

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Hospitality

The Cove Rotana Resort Strengthens Leadership Team with the Appointment of Karim El Ghandour as Director of Human Resources

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The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah is pleased to announce the appointment of Karim El Ghandour as Director of Human Resources.

Bringing more than 25 years of hospitality and HR leadership experience across the Middle East and Africa, El Ghandour joins the five-star resort to lead its human resources strategy, with a focus on strengthening colleague engagement, talent development, and workplace culture while supporting the continued growth of the property.

In his new role, El Ghandour will oversee the resort’s human resources function, drawing on extensive experience in talent acquisition, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, compliance, leadership development, and workforce optimisation. His appointment further supports The Cove Rotana Resort’s commitment to building a strong, people-focused culture and recognises the important role colleagues play in delivering the warm and genuine hospitality for which Rotana is known.

Commenting on his appointment, El Ghandour said: “I am pleased to join The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah and become part of the Rotana family. Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand the important role that people and culture play in the success of a hotel. I look forward to working closely with our colleagues and leadership team to build a strong and supportive workplace, develop our talent, and ensure our people strategy continues to contribute to the growth and performance of the resort.”

El Ghandour joins The Cove Rotana Resort following more than 15 years with IHG Hotels & Resorts, most recently serving as Cluster Director of Human Resources in Kuwait. In this role, he led the full HR function across a cluster of properties with a combined workforce of 800 colleagues and served as a member of the Executive Committee. He also led the HR pre-opening of InterContinental Kuwait, IHG’s first luxury property in the country.

His career in hospitality began in hotel operations, with early roles spanning front office and operational management before he moved into training and development and, subsequently, senior human resources leadership. He has also worked in convention and catering sales and co-founded and managed a travel business, giving him a broad understanding of the operational and commercial realities of hotel performance.

This combination of operational and HR experience has shaped his approach to leadership, centred on people, performance, and a first-hand understanding of hotel operations. At The Cove Rotana Resort, El Ghandour will bring this perspective to the continued development of its colleague culture, supporting high-performing teams and aligning the resort’s people strategy with its wider business objectives.

Visit The Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah for more information and The Cove Rotana Resort on Instagram @thecoverotanaresort for the latest news and updates

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