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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Food devider An out-of-this-world chocolate fair and cosmic collab

An out-of-this-world chocolate fair and cosmic collab

Auro Chocolate teams up with viral Dubai-based Filipino pastry chef Nouel Catis for a galactic celebration of local cacao and sweet innovation at the 6th World Chocolate Fair

Published Jul 7, 2025 05:30 pm

At A Glance

  • By Treena Tecson
It was an out-of-this-world experience stepping into the opening day of the Aliens and Dinosaurs-themed World Chocolate Fair on July 3, 2025, at S Maison, where the past, present and future collided in the most imaginative way.
Celebrating its 6th year, the World Chocolate Fair showcased indulgence and innovation through an array of chocolate drinks, pastries, and desserts crafted by 10 participating brands, namely:
• Auro Chocolate Café (Tub Cakes)
• Bubu Bars (dairy-free vegan ice cream)
• Daniel Baker (Auro Crisps)
• Mindful Indulgence (vegan Peanut Butter Cups and Faux Twix)
• Kultura (Auro gift sets)
• Corad Manila (Auro cookies, cupcakes, and lollipops)
• Meru (Japanese creampuffs)
• Serenitea (Auro Cookies and Cream & Auro Cacao Frost)
• Half Saints (Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownies)
• Ciento (Cookies and Auro Brookies)
The highlight of this year’s event was the collaboration between Auro, award-winning Philippine tree-to-bar chocolate brand, and Chef Nouel Catis, renowned Filipino pastry chef who created the viral Dubai chocolate bar. The Auro x SNA’AP partnership was officially launched, with Chef Nouel named as Auro’s Chef Ambassador.
The story began in 2017, when Auro co-founders Mark Ocampo and Kelly Go met and began collaborating with Dubai-based Chef Nouel Catis. Auro had just launched their chocolate brand in the Philippines and Chef Nouel started using and promoting Auro chocolate in the Middle East, incorporating it into his recipes and cookbooks. Eventually, Auro opened a chocolate shop in Bahrain, and Chef Nouel developed several items for their café menu. Today, they launched their official global partnership: Auro x SNA’AP Bars, with Chef Nouel as their Chef Ambassador.

Chef Nouel has been living in Dubai for the past 16 years. Originally from Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, he knew early on that he wanted to work and succeed abroad. His passion for baking was inspired by his mother’s bakery and restaurant business. He moved to Dubai in 2005 as an HRA graduate from the University of the Philippines and worked at several international hotels, the first of which was the iconic 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab.
In December 2023, the Dubai Chocolate Bar craze spread like wildfire around the world, fueled by a viral TikTok video. In 2024, Chef Nouel was catapulted to the center of the global stage when it was revealed that he was the chef who created the original recipe.
Historically, the Philippines was one of the first countries in Asia to cultivate cacao in 1670 when it was introduced through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. As an origin country, Filipinos can be proud of our country’s contribution to global cacao and chocolate production.
Chef Nouel shares, “We always downplay our participation in the chocolate world because, you know, it's only recently that we are using our own chocolate.”
Auro has played a significant role in showcasing Philippine cacao and chocolate, as well as Filipino creativity and craftsmanship, to the world.
According to Mark, “We wanted to reclaim the narrative and give credit where it is due. Filipinos supporting Filipinos. It doesn't matter if it’s domestically or internationally because Filipinos have a very powerful voice. And I would say that when Filipinos come together, it strengthens our narrative—it strengthens and reclaims who we are as creators and as a people. It’s really about bringing people together.”
When asked about the creation of the Dubai Chocolate Bar, Chef Nouel said: “The story behind it was actually an idea conceived to create a chocolate that Dubai can be proud of—since it is more of a consumer than a producer of chocolate. Because of this, it changed the narrative of Dubai being a place that can actually curate chocolate the world will celebrate.”

Chef Nouel also explained the story behind the Manila Chocolate Bar, an original recipe from his chocolate brand SNA’AP, which he reimagined for Auro. This chocolate bar bridges both cultures by using the iconic ube—a staple in Philippine desserts—and combining it with baklava, a popular Middle Eastern dessert.
“The name Manila Chocolate was suggested by Auro. The ube represents our heritage, and this will be a love letter from Manila to the world. I think it happened for a reason—that I was the chef who formulated the recipe that became the Dubai Chocolate. It became a significant focal point when we discussed chocolates from the Philippines because they know somebody is there to champion the chocolate industry in the Philippines,” Chef Nouel adds.
With that said, it’s safe to say that Philippine chocolate is finally getting the global recognition and attention it deserves.
Auro Dubai Chocolate and Manila Chocolate Bars are available https://aurochocolate.com target=_blank>here, and all https://aurochocolate.com/pages/auro-cafe target=_blank>Auro Chocolate Cafés.
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