LANI ROSE R DIZON

DOHA AROUND 500 women from Doha’s elite circles assembled at the newly-opened Fauchon Paris boutique at the Royal Plaza Mall on Wednesday.

The event was held to celebrate Mothers’ Day, amid fanfare and French contemporary luxury food.

Members of the Qatari royal family including Sheikha al Anoud bin Suhaim al Thani and Sheikha Roda bin Suhaim al Thani, and a number of other Qatari women were present on the occasion. Several ambassadors’ wives and members of the Spanish Women’s Association, American Women’s Association, Filipino Women’s Association and Turkish Women’s Association also attended the event.

The function was hosted by Fauchon in Doha and coincided with the company’s announcement of the opening of its second and latest boutique outlet at the Royal Plaza.

During the event, the visitors enjoyed the signature ‘Made in F’ confectioneries, patisserie and other gastronomic treats prepared by a professional team of chefs at Fauchon.

Nasser Kalla, director general of Fauchon Doha, said that Mothers’ Day has always been a significant celebration at the company since Fauchon opened in Qatar, 18 years ago.

Speaking about their latest expansion, he said that Fauchon had a ‘soft opening’ at the Royal Plaza recently.

The opening of the new store had led to a significant 25 percent increase in Fauchon sales in Qatar, he added.

Joumana Ghalayini, deputy general manager at Fauchon Doha, said that the new 70 square metre Fauchon boutique at Royal Plaza would feature the same selection of groceries, biscuits and pastry items found at the main Doha outlet. But, only cold food items would be served at its café.

“The flagship Fauchon at Salwa Road is undergoing renovation. Once completed in May, it will reflect the new concept of Fauchon brand.

With its reopening, we will also launch the latest cafe concept from Fauchon Paris in Qatar. It will feature a brand new luxury menu prepared by international French chefs. This will further boost the luxury segment in Qatar’s food and beverage industry,” Ghalayini said.

“Fauchon in Doha is under the Ali Bin Ali Group that was currently outsourcing two more locations for new Fauchon outlets at two new malls coming up in the Shamal Road. The two new Fauchon outlets are set to open in Qatar by 2013,” he said.

Caroline Ripaux, the Middle East Retail Manager for Fauchon Paris, said that 15 new Fauchon boutiques were set to open across the Middle East by 2013.

“Qatar is a good market for Fauchon Paris. And this boutique truly reflects the Fauchon’s standard and the identity we want to communicate in the global scene. Since it was founded by Auguste Fauchon in 1886, the company has been positioning itself to be the reference for luxury French food. We shall always innovate, but will remain in the direction of luxury French gourmet,” she added.

Fauchon Paris in Doha recently won the ‘Best Chocolate’ award for the Lifestyle Awards 2011 at the sixth International Hotel, Restaurant and Food Exhibition in Qatar (Diyafa 2011). The new Fauchon boutique at the Royal Plaza mall was also recently awarded by Fauchon Paris as best boutique for its worldwide chain of stores and its concept design is set to be adopted by other Fauchon boutiques across the world soon.