If you haven’t heard of Gossip Desserts yet, you soon will. The Emirati-owned home-grown cafe is due to open its second branch in The Galleria on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi on December 14 and a third branch near City Walk in Dubai early next year.
Shayma Fawwaz, the Emirati woman behind the brand, launched Gossip Desserts nearly two years ago in Sharjah. Fawwaz, who was born in Abu Dhabi, came up with the concept as an answer to the cookie-cutter cafes mushrooming everywhere.
“I wanted to create an experience for people to enjoy what they’re eating and have a fun place to hang out,” says Fawwaz. “It’s so hard to find a good, everyday place to eat. I got sick of the same cafes – you find the same salad everywhere.”
Gossip Desserts is an Emirati-American-European fusion cafe and, though the name might suggest otherwise, it specialises in more than just desserts. While the truffles and cheesecakes in a jar are popular, Fawwaz has also made sure the unique sandwiches and salads she’s created leave people talking. Fawwaz says: “With every salad and sandwich, I say ‘how can I make this gourmet?’ For example, my tuna sandwich has wasabi, fresh olives, corn and avocado in it. I try to make everything a bit upscale.”
Fawwaz single-handedly set up Gossip Desserts and has been involved with every step of the process.
“I’ve had a business plan [for a cafe] since I was 21. I didn’t use consultants and I don’t have partners,” says Fawwaz. “I did it all from scratch and all by myself.” She came up with every recipe and says: “Everything I make is something I want to eat. If I want to eat it, then I sell it.”
She also doesn’t cut corners.
“We try to be as organic as possible,” says Fawwaz. “There are no preservatives in the food. I will not use jam from a jar. I will not use anything canned. Everything is made from scratch.”
Gossip Desserts is not even a full-time career for Fawwaz, who also has a high-profile job in the health care industry. She spent eight years in the United States earning an undergraduate degree in pre-med/business and microbiology from George Washington University and a doctorate in human genetics.
“I am fascinated by human DNA. It came to me naturally. Just like desserts,” she says with a laugh. “Gossip Desserts has 50 flavours of cupcakes and cakes,” she says. “As women, we’re always careful about what we eat. So when I come to indulge in a dessert, it better be worth it. We make sure it’s worth it. I tell my employees, you’re not selling a cupcake or a dessert. You’re selling an experience.”
• If you can’t wait for the Abu Dhabi and Dubai branches to open, Gossip Desserts is in Sharjah at University City. Open daily from 7.30am to 10pm, Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30am to 11pm, Thursday to Saturday. Call 06 545 5959 for more details (follow instagram.com/gossipdesserts)
sjohnson@thenational.ae
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Avatar (2009)
Director: James Cameron
Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
ASIAN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
Results
Hong Kong 52-5 UAE
South Korea 55-5 Malaysia
Malaysia 6-70 Hong Kong
UAE 36-32 South Korea
Fixtures
Friday, June 21, 7.30pm kick-off: UAE v Malaysia
At The Sevens, Dubai (admission is free).
Saturday: Hong Kong v South Korea
Company Profile
Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Company Profile
Name: HyveGeo
Started: 2023
Founders: Abdulaziz bin Redha, Dr Samsurin Welch, Eva Morales and Dr Harjit Singh
Based: Cambridge and Dubai
Number of employees: 8
Industry: Sustainability & Environment
Funding: $200,000 plus undisclosed grant
Investors: Venture capital and government
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Most polluted cities in the Middle East
1. Baghdad, Iraq
2. Manama, Bahrain
3. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
4. Kuwait City, Kuwait
5. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
6. Ash Shihaniyah, Qatar
7. Abu Dhabi, UAE
8. Cairo, Egypt
9. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
10. Dubai, UAE
Source: 2022 World Air Quality Report
MOST POLLUTED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
1. Chad
2. Iraq
3. Pakistan
4. Bahrain
5. Bangladesh
6. Burkina Faso
7. Kuwait
8. India
9. Egypt
10. Tajikistan
Source: 2022 World Air Quality Report
A QUIET PLACE
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Rating: 4/5
How champions are made
Diet
7am - Protein shake with oats and fruits
10am - 5-6 egg whites
1pm - White rice or chapati (Indian bread) with chicken
4pm - Dry fruits
7.30pm - Pre workout meal – grilled fish or chicken with veggies and fruits
8.30pm to midnight workout
12.30am – Protein shake
Total intake: 4000-4500 calories
Saidu’s weight: 110 kg
Stats: Biceps 19 inches. Forearms 18 inches
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal