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Did you happen to visit Le Flocon in Naccache last Thursday? Did you come across Rudolf, Santa Claus’s favorite reindeer? In a festive and jovial atmosphere, Chef Charles Azar, famous for his simplicity, welcomed both young and old to witness the creation of Rudolf, a sculpture crafted from chocolate by his artistic hands.
Despite the heavy city traffic gearing up for the year-end festivities, both children and adults came to admire the artist at work. A true masterpiece of sculpture, oozing with flavors and cheerfulness, materialized before the astonished eyes of the audience.
Passionate about pastry since his youth, Charles Azar embarked on a journey to climb the echelons of this world, achieving professionalism and international recognition. Azar quickly made his mark on the hotel scene of our capital. He developed a diverse set of skills working both nationally and internationally over the past 25 years in this industry. Chef Azar has served as the executive pastry chef at the most prestigious hotels in Beirut and the region.
Shortly thereafter, he shifted to the world of teaching, selflessly imparting his experience, knowledge, and love for his craft to students from around the globe since 2005, including pastry chefs from the finest culinary establishments. Chef Azar has also been involved in organizing numerous national and international competitions.
Chef Azar has also made a significant impact ever since his television debut in April 2009, rarely being absent from the screen since then, achieving record viewership numbers with the pastry show “Well Done” on MTV Lebanon. He has also been a guest on several shows, including Top Chef Middle East on LBC & MBC Channel, making numerous live appearances.
Azar showcases numerous culinary demonstrations each year at major annual events, including the “Beirut Cooking Festival,” the Étoile Culinary School in Greece, and the “Horeca Trade Show.” The latter has become the annual meeting point for the hospitality and catering industries in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Beirut for the past decade. He had the honor of being a judge and a member of the organizing committees.
Since 2017, Chef Azar is the co-founder of Le Flocon Artisan Glacier, the region’s first concept of artisanal ice cream based on natural ingredients. It is in this haven of frozen delicacies and gourmet treats with refined flavors that Santa Claus’s favorite reindeer was shaped by his expert hands.
One of the rare pastry chefs to hold the distinction of being a three-time winner of prestigious titles at the “World Pastry Cup” in Lyon, France, Chef Azar remains humble and approachable. He generously offers advice and sweet delights, bringing joy to young students and lovers of the art of pastry.
Between the frosted passion fruits, chestnut ice cream, and VSOP chocolate ice cream, taste buds are in ecstasy as eyes marvel at a sculpture that so aptly defines the spirit of the celebration. It is delightful to taste the Christmas snowflakes and indulge in the sweet flavors on the palate.
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