At the heart of the bustling city of Dubai, where innovation and creativity thrive, a unique chocolate event took place that combined the worlds of flavour, marketing, and teamwork. Coeur de Xocolat, the renowned chocolate artisan and consultancy, was invited by Tim Whitehead at al Ghurair Foods Dubai Out of Home Division to orchestrate an exceptional team event that would challenge participants to think outside the box and create delectable delights that captured the market's imagination.

The premise was simple yet exciting: Teams were tasked with creating a new and original flavoured chocolate bar, all while following the spirited format reminiscent of "The Apprentice."

This intriguing challenge ignited the spark of imagination in each participant, igniting their creativity and business acumen.

The journey began with a unique twist - a chocolate safari® that led the teams into the heart of Dubai's vibrant malls.

As they ventured through the bustling corridors, they observed the ebb and flow of consumer preferences and trends.

The Dubai malls served as a living canvas, showcasing what was flying off the shelves and what was perhaps an acquired taste (camel milk chocolate, anyone?). This initial exploration provided the teams with valuable market insights that would shape their creations.

Armed with newfound market knowledge, the teams embarked on their creative journey.

With each step, they crafted their chocolate bar from concept to execution:

Defining the Target Market: Understanding the audience they aimed to captivate.

Selecting Flavors: Curating a blend of flavors that would tantalize taste buds.

Setting Retail Price: Strategically pricing their creation to balance profit and affordability.

Devising Brand Identity: Creating a brand name and style that resonated with consumers.

Packaging Design: Transforming their chocolate bar into an enticing visual delight.

Costing Analysis: Calculating the ingredients and materials to ensure profitable margins.

Marketing Strategy: Crafting a marketing approach that would engage consumers.

Radio Advertisement: Producing a 30-second radio ad to elevate their product's allure.

The culmination of their hard work and innovative thinking led to the final pitch, a moment of truth where each team presented their creation and radio advertisement. It was an arena where creativity and business acumen went head-to-head.

However, this event was more than just competition; it was a testament to the power of collaboration. As Tim Whitehead, Head of Sales - Consumer Foods, pointed out, "Over the past few years, we've seen businesses moving away from competitive work environments to workplaces where collaboration and co-operation between staff is seen as the key to success." The event provided a platform for teams to learn to work more collaboratively, a skill that's increasingly valuable in today's interconnected world.

The chocolate safari® event was a roaring success, with teams presenting fantastically imaginative and tasty concepts. From inception to execution, the journey encapsulated the essence of innovation, teamwork, and the passion for crafting delightful experiences.

As the event concluded, participants not only left with a sense of accomplishment but also with their own beautifully decorated chocolate bars, a sweet reminder of the creativity and camaraderie that flourished during the event.

In the world of chocolate and innovation, Coeur de Xocolat continues to push boundaries, turning ordinary events into extraordinary experiences, and leaving a trail of delectable memories in its wake.