Emirati Entrepreneur Mouza Alabbar Chats About Living The Sweet Life After Launching Ganache Chocolatier
“My favourite motto is by the poet Elia Abu Madi: ‘Be the beauty that you wish to see in the outside world’”
Her name is instantly recognisable, but given that Mouza Alabbar has been at the helm of the 18-company-strong Alabbar Enterprises for the past 11 years it would be easy to rest on her laurels, but that goes intrinsically against everything this detail-orientated dynamo stands for. So instead of just indulging her love for sweets by buying boxes of confectionery and sampling bon bons, she took the ultimate step and opened her very own speciality Ganache Chocolatier in Dubai’s vibrant Alserkal Avenue.
During this exclusive shoot with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia the fearless high-flyer – who already has homegrown culinary concepts caya, Two at Symphony, and PARKA under her belt – talks about the work ethic instilled in her by her father, Mohamed Alabbar, her Willy Wonka style project and how she’s made certain that when it comes to her chocolate boxes, you’ll always know what you’re going to get.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What makes Ganache different from others in the market?
Mouza Alabbar (MA): Our focus from day one was on quality and product. That’s where our journey started and it was the priority for us to master the entire process of creation, using the finest ingredients including Valrhona chocolate.
The space itself is also unique, hosting a chocolate retail boutique along with a factory in Alserkal Avenue. The shop features three beautiful chocolate displays, a cafe experience and in-house factory. We handle it start to finish, including roasting the nuts, making the praline, ganache and all the fillings for every piece of chocolate. We also have a showcase window so guests can experience the entire journey from creation to completion.
HBA: And you obviously had a strong background in the industry already…
MA: Yes. Alabbar Enterprises has been in the UAE landscape for 12 years now and businesses span F&B, retail and lifestyle sectors. We began with franchising brands internationally and bringing them to the local market. I then moved onto creating homegrown concepts in the F&B space, with my most recent venture being Ganache Chocolatier.
HBA: What were some of the challenges you faced when opening?
MA: Before opening, the focus was to find the correct niche talent to create and produce the chocolate. It was crucial to secure the right team to match the vision for the brand in terms of quality, taste and innovation.
Other challenges were managing expectations between experience, design and also being cost effective. Cost control was one of the issues which we tackled very strategically to be able to offer something to the market that was for everybody. After the pandemic, we did not want to take any risks, therefore costs were a priority for us.
Additionally, choosing the right location was necessary to correctly position the brand. We explored different options of a standalone destination or a mall, and what would be the suitable first step for the brand’s introduction.
After opening, the overwhelmingly positive response brought another unexpected challenge. Customer demand was high and we had to quickly plan accordingly; the team were working on a 24-hour shift in order to fulfill production volumes. They had to juggle this along with maintaining service and standards, in a new environment, all in the first few weeks of opening.
HBA: The space is beautiful too – can you tell us a bit about the design process?
MA: The space is designed for a sensorial experience, in connection to chocolate. We worked with the talented Dubai-based architect and interior designer, Ghida Chehab from Studio Baab. We wanted to respect and maintain the industrial feel of Alserkal Avenue, yet infuse an elevated vision to bring a different dimension to this neighbourhood.
We wanted to ensure that the guest experience began from the very moment they entered. They are then taken on a mysterious chocolate discovery before entering the retail space and immersing themselves in the world of Ganache Chocolatier. From the choice of colours, the materials, the curvature – everything is an exploration and takes you on a journey, conceptualised with chocolate in mind.
HBA: There’s a real romance associated with chocolate-making…
MA: Yes, but it’s a business too. The creativity and tastiness of everything is the fun part. At the end of the day, it’s about how this business succeeds and sustain itself. Obviously, we have our sales targets. Our team isn’t only focused on achieving the right quality of chocolates but also have a goal to meet business objectives.
HBA: What’s the best part of your job?
MA: The creative process behind bringing a brand to life and the guest experience. Hearing positive reviews from friends or acquaintances is so rewarding – they’ve not only had a great experience but they feel the way we intended them to. Truthfully, that’s the best part – to be able to see the impact through people’s feedback.
HBA: What are your personal favourites?
MA: It’s interesting because my personal favourites became the bestsellers! Almond Praline, Hazelnut Praline and Pecan Praline. There’s also a fusion Zaatar Praline which is a bestseller and a must-try.
HBA: How would you define your personal aesthetic?
MA: My style is generally simple, but I like to have one statement piece which is usually how I accessorise my outfits. My overall approach is elegant and simple, with a bit of an edge. Regionally, I opt for Bouguessa, Manaal Al Hammadi, Twill, The Cap Project, The Laff and 1309 from Qatar. Others I shop at include Fold, DAS Collection and AlAbbar Designs by Shamsa AlAbbar. Internationally, I love Loewe because of its artistic expression. I enjoy its quirkiness; the cuts and colors are a lot of fun.
HBA: If you had a motto for life, what would it be?
MA: My favorite motto is by the poet Elia Abu Madi. It translates as: “Be the beauty you wish to see in the outside world.” I really believe in this as things should start from us, instead of us expecting things to fall into place without taking the initiative. I also own an art piece by Emirati artist and designer, AlJoud Lootah, which features this saying.
HBA: The best piece of advice you have ever received was…
MA: From my father [Mohamed Alabbar] many years ago when I first started my entrepreneurial career. His advice was to always trust my gut instinct. I’ve always kept this in mind and to this day, I still trust that subtle whisper in my mind.
We were raised in a house where we witnessed our father work very hard. This exposure embedded key values into our minds and an overall work ethic. Embrace the fact that you can’t be an expert in everything but you can achieve anything you desire. He encouraged us to always think that nothing is impossible and if you set your mind to something, you can achieve it.
HBA: Any hidden gems in the city that you can share?
MA: What always keeps me grounded is simple, feel-good comfort food like karak, paratha and fatayer from local neighbourhood spots. I enjoy indulging in these nostalgic eats with my kids.
HBA: What are your vacation plans this summer?
MA: Since the pandemic, our summers have been very fluid, our destinations are more spontaneous. For the past couple of years, my family’s favorite destination has been the north coast of Egypt. It’s close enough from the UAE for a change of scenery and their natural landscape is magical.
HBA: What are the characteristics you think are essential for being a main character?
MA: Understanding what your values are and being true to them is the most important aspect. This is the composition of a leader. Once you understand your values, it then takes you to exemplify and consistently live by them on a daily basis with an authentic and transparent approach. Your support team isn’t necessarily looking for a single characteristic in a leader, but more so looking up to you in how you live and breathe through your values. For me, my most important value is honesty and the dedication to your work backed with a high work ethic where you can be transparent about what you can and can’t do so expectations are managed.
For more information visit @byganachechocolatier
Photography: Efraim Evidor. Styling: Imogene Legrand
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s June 2023 issue
