Models walk the runway in chocolate dresses at The Dubai Mall

Chocolate lovers can rejoice as the first Salon du Chocolat et de la Patisserie in the UAE is taking place at Le Gourmet, Galeries Lafayette in The Dubai Mall.

The three-day event runs until Saturday and is dedicated to those who share a passion for chocolate and everything associated with it.

Visitors will be able to meet more than 50 exhibitors and watch over more than 30 pastry chefs in action. Special events taking place include a fashion show, in collaboration with Esmod Dubai; a pastry show with workshops; and the choco demo, a space to mingle with influencers and food bloggers.

There is also an area for children to get creative with chocolate, while amateurs can compete in three competitions over the course of the event.

“All the chocolate art and sculptures have been specially created for the show by world-class French Tunisian artist Idriss B,” said Maha El Khoury, projects and sales director at Hospitality Services.

She says there is plenty to do such as exploring stands, sampling and buying chocolate, and attending special workshops and masterclasses with renowned chefs. “We are expecting several thousand attendees over the coming days. There really is something for everyone,” she said.

Established in Paris in 1994, the exhibition has become a favourite with chocolate enthusiasts, with events taking place in New York, Tokyo, London, Brussels, Cologne, Lyon, Moscow, Shanghai, Marseille, Zurich, Cannes, Bordeaux, Monaco, Milano, Hong Kong, Beirut and many other cities.

After the success of Salon du Chocolat Beirut, which was established in 2014 by Hospitality Services, Dubai has become the second city in the Middle East and the 13th in the world to host this chocolate extravaganza.

In addition to Dubai, Salon du Chocolat will be debuting in Riyadh later this year. More details of the event, set to take place in November, will be announced soon.