The Royal Tearoom at the illustrious Atlantis The Royal in Dubai recently played host to an extraordinary afternoon tea experience uniting two of the world’s most esteemed pastry chefs. Over two days in November 2024, Antonio Bachour and Christophe Devoille offered guests a sophisticated exploration of Vienna’s beloved coffee heritage in the heart of the United Arab Emirates.
Known as a global hub for innovation and indulgence, Dubai provided the ideal backdrop for this collaboration. The Royal Tearoom, awarded the title of “World’s Best Afternoon Tea” by La Liste, presented a curated menu of sweet and savoury creations served with Julius Meinl coffee. For those fortunate enough to attend, the afternoon tea at The Royal Tearoom was not just a treat for the tastebuds but a journey through time and tradition. It was a moment to pause, savour and connect — hallmarks of Vienna’s coffeehouse culture brought to life in one of Dubai’s most luxurious settings.
Bachour, renowned for his beautiful and inventive pastry designs and internationally recognised with accolades such as the World’s Best Pastry Chef 2022 and Pastry Innovation Award 2024, collaborated with Devoille, Gault&Millau UAE’s Pastry Chef of the Year and Executive Pastry Chef at Atlantis The Royal, to introduce two exclusive desserts specially conceived for the event. His Their take on tiramisu, featuring mascarpone and Julius Meinl coffee praline, offered a modern twist on a timeless favourite. Alongside this, guests received a thoughtful take-home favour — a chocolate coffee bean.
Atlantis The Royal’s Head Barista, Raffy Vajio, who recently won the Julius Meinl Barista Cup 2024, rounded off the special event with skillfully prepared coffees that perfectly complemented the exquisite desserts and snacks. Julius Meinl’s Gloriette Gold blend, organic and Fairtrade-certified with notes evoking Vienna’s traditional desserts, took centre stage.This velvety blend with cocoa-dusted aromas added depth to the culinary narrative, evoking the smells and flavours of the city’s famous patisseries.
“Every extraordinary creation begins with the finest ingredients. Julius Meinl’s The Originals Blend Gloriette Gold embodies the perfect harmony of exceptional aromas and premium quality,” said Bachour, who is also a brand ambassador for Julius Meinl. “It pairs exceptionally well with my desserts.”
Much more than just a producer of premium and sustainably sourced coffee, Julius Meinl has long been an advocate of Vienna’s UNESCO-recognised coffeehouse culture. Founded in 1862, it’s one of the oldest coffee companies in the world and has spent more than 160 years refining the art of coffee roasting. It’s guided by the philosophy of taking time to cherish coffee and the meaningful moments it creates, and this idea also resonated throughout the event at Atlantis The Royal. As Julius Meinl continues to bring Vienna’s coffee culture to the world, this partnership with Bachour highlights the brand’s commitment to quality and its respect for tradition while also embracing a shared dedication to craftsmanship, community and the creation of memorable experiences.
The event also encapsulated the ethos of Atlantis The Royal — a global hospitality icon that remains uncompromising in its dedication to luxury and culinary excellence. Visitors to Dubai are always welcome to savour Julius Meinl coffee at Atlantis The Royal, embracing a tradition that celebrates the art of enjoying life’s finest moments.
To find out more about Julius Meinl, visit the links below
Julius Meinl 1862 GmbH
JuliusMeinlGasse 3-7
1160 Vienna
Austria
Web: juliusmeinl.com
Tel: +431488601542
Email: office@meinl.group
Online Shop: shop.meinl.com
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Facebook: @JuliusMeinlCoffee
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