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By Nishang Narayan
Published on June 18, 2024
We have carefully curated this newsletter to ensure it becomes your go-to resource for all things hospitality-related. Whether you are an industry professional, an avid traveller, or simply passionate about the art of hospitality, this newsletter will be your gateway to a world of inspiration, knowledge and unforgettable experiences.
Callebaut, the home of the finest Belgian chocolate since 1911, proudly launches its 'Born Original' campaign within Asia's vibrant culinary scene by honoring Chef Vinesh Johny as the region's first official Born Original Chef. This initiative celebrates visionary chefs who inspire through their unique culinary journeys and embody originality.
The 'Born Original' concept underscores the deep connection between the brand and the chefs it supports, both true originals in their fields. Callebaut, renowned for its original taste of Belgium, understands the challenges chefs and artisans face and stands by them as they create and innovate.
Chef Vinesh Johny, co-founder of Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts in Bengaluru, India, epitomizes the 'Born Original' ethos. From humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in Indian pastry arts, his story is one of resilience, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His first encounter with Callebaut chocolate ignited a fervor for pastry, driving his innovation and creativity.
Reflecting on his journey, Chef Vinesh Johny shared, "I wasn’t made for schools and textbooks, but I was born to use my hands and create. The discovery of quality chocolate was a revelation that set my passion for pastry ablaze. With Callebaut, I've found a medium that allows me to push the boundaries of creativity. Being a part of the Born Original campaign was a very organic collaboration for me personally, and I’m thrilled to be representing Callebaut Born Original in India & Asia."
Dhruva Jyoti Sanyal, Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Cocoa and Chocolate Ingredients, India, emphasized the significance of supporting chefs in their creative endeavors. "Every artisan and chef strives to differentiate themselves and create delights that excite customers. By collaborating with Chef Vinesh Johny, we feel the message will be delivered to our end consumers and create an impact correctly. As chocolate rises in India and the region emerges as the future of chocolate, we stand by our chefs as a steadfast partner, providing the original chocolate they can count on to pursue their passion."
Xuan-Lai Huynh, Global Brand Leader - Callebaut, added, "We are committed to demonstrating our unwavering dedication to our customers. By prioritizing service excellence and reaffirming our values, we empower chefs and artisans worldwide to continue creating their finest works with Callebaut, the original taste of Belgium."
So far, the campaign has featured stories of Sebastian Pettersson, a pastry chef and chocolatier in Sweden; Anaïs Gaudemer, a floral pastry chef in Brussels; Nicolas Nikolakopoulos, a pastry chef and desserts designer in Greece; and Lungi Mhlanga, a bakery chef in London. Chef Vinesh’s story will go live digitally on June 14, 2024, on the Callebaut global and India channels. The series will emphasize his major role in revolutionizing the Indian pastry landscape and bringing local talent to the global stage.
For more information on Born Original and to discover inspiring recipes, visit www.callebaut.com
About Callebaut:
In 1911, Octaaf Callebaut surprised his brothers by presenting them with his first chocolate, made in secrecy in the heart of the family-owned brewery in Wieze. Octaaf had acquired the craft during a six-month internship with a Parisian chocolate-making company. No one knew.
Octaaf’s entrepreneurial dream would create a big shift for the family company. Octaaf’s recipes quickly found their way to the hearts of Belgian consumers. But the business started taking off when Octaaf and his brother Richard focused on making chocolate for Belgian chocolatiers and professionals.
They created unique and high-quality recipes for professionals such as the 811, the 823, and the W2: iconic chocolate recipes that to this very day are preferred by chefs and artisans around the world. Throughout the years, Callebaut kept perfecting the craft from bean-to-bar and innovated with the very first transportation of liquid chocolate to its customers, the invention of Callets™ made it easier to dose, melt and temper chocolate, the launch of ruby chocolate, and the creation of the NXT dairy-free chocolate for professionals in response to the rise of delicious plant-based products.
In 2011, Callebaut also made a bold shift to sustainable cocoa for all its chocolate recipes, leading to the first fully traceable chocolates in 2020 in partnership with Cocoa Horizons. Throughout all its activities, the spirit of founding father Octaaf Callebaut lingers on. His entrepreneurial spirit – always in pursuit of better – has been the guiding principle for Callebaut to keep feeding the dreams and ambitions of artisans and chefs worldwide. From young starting professionals to mature chocolatiers who want to grow their business, it’s Callebaut’s mission to support artisans in making their mark.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on June 10, 2025
Lenexis Foodworks, a key player in India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, has made a remarkable mark in 2025, with its brands Chinese Wok and Big Bowl sweeping top honours across multiple award platforms nationwide. These recognitions reflect the group’s consistent growth, operational strength, and deep connection with Indian consumers.
Chinese Wok, the company’s flagship brand, was crowned QSR Chain of the Year at the ET Great India Retail Awards, and was celebrated as a Category Disruptor in the Restaurants, QSR & Food Services segment at the ET Brand Disrupt Awards. Its innovation in digital engagement was recognized with a win at the MOMMY Awards 2025 for Best Use of AR/VR, showcasing its shift towards experiential marketing.
At the Food Connoisseurs India Awards 2025, Chinese Wok earned the title of Best Quick Service Restaurant Chain - West India. Regionally, it stood out at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards with multiple titles including:
Best Asian Casual Dining – Navi Mumbai and Thane
Best Chinese Restaurant – Thane, Navi Mumbai, Jaipur, and Noida
Best QSR Casual Dining – Gurgaon
On the delivery front, the Swiggy Awards 2025 recognized Chinese Wok’s popularity across several cities:
Best Chinese:
Rank 1 in Madurai, Amritsar, Mysore
Rank 2 in Vadodara, Mumbai, Faridabad, Kanpur
Rank 3 in Jalandhar, Chennai, Vijayawada, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur
Best Momos – Chennai
Best Newcomer – Manipal
Meanwhile, Big Bowl, the cloud kitchen brand from Lenexis, won Cloud Kitchen of the Year – West India at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards, and ranked second in Best Chinese (Amritsar) at the Swiggy Awards.
These accolades come as Lenexis Foodworks pursues its vision of scaling up to 500 stores by 2027, opening 100 new outlets annually. From one outlet in 2015, the company has grown to over 235 locations in 35+ cities, positioning Chinese Wok as India’s largest Chinese QSR chain. The group is also expanding into East India with aggressive growth plans in Kolkata and neighbouring markets.
2025 also marked a year of fresh innovations. Chinese Wok launched new street-style offerings such as Kurkure Momos and Desi Chowmein, tailored to local tastes. The brand also debuted its cricket season ad campaign, blending themed visuals, contests, and special packaging.
Lenexis Foodworks continues to invest in storytelling and community efforts, from school outreach programs to revamped in-store experiences, strengthening its identity as a vibrant, home-grown brand. As it celebrates a decade of impact, the company is set to redefine Asian fast food experiences across India.
Published on June 3, 2025
Via Bianca, a charming new destination for regional Italian cuisine, has officially opened its doors at N Block Market, GK I, New Delhi. Conceptualised and launched with the support of CYK Hospitalities, India’s premier F&B consultancy, Via Bianca promises a refined, heartfelt culinary experience rooted in tradition and authenticity.
At the heart of this venture is Chef Kamalika Anand, an alumna of Le Cordon Bleu, London, and ALMA, Italy. With experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and deep immersion in the European culinary world, Chef Kamalika envisioned a space that pays homage to Italy’s diverse regional fare. "Via Bianca has lived in my head and heart for a long time. It's more than a restaurant—it's a tribute to the Italy I studied, lived, and loved," she shared.
The restaurant’s ambience blends rustic Italian charm with contemporary elegance. Features like an open kitchen, wood-fired oven, and a pasta shaping station enhance the dining experience, offering guests an immersive look into the culinary craft.
The menu takes diners on a journey across Italy’s regions, with dishes such as Strata Bianca di Zucchini, Spaghetti all'Assassina, and Tigelle 'Nduja, reflecting both skill and soul. From seasoned gourmets to curious foodies, Via Bianca aims to make authentic Italian cuisine both accessible and memorable.
CYK Hospitalities played an instrumental role in bringing this vision to life—from designing ergonomic kitchen workflows to curating the entire guest journey. "Via Bianca is a reflection of meaningful collaboration. We saw Kamalika's passion and aligned it with a solid framework, from planning to execution," said Pulkit Arora, Director of CYK Hospitalities.
With its soulful food, striking interiors, and operational finesse, Via Bianca is more than a restaurant—it's a culinary landmark in the making. Backed by CYK Hospitalities' end-to-end brand-building expertise, it stands poised to redefine experiential dining in Delhi.
About CYK Hospitalities
Founded by Pulkit Arora and Simranjeet Singh, CYK Hospitalities is a full-service F&B consultancy providing turnkey solutions across the hospitality spectrum—from concept creation and chef hiring to menu engineering, SOP design, branding, and market strategy.
Published on May 31, 2025
Craving a sandwich that truly hits the spot? Bluebop Subs, the latest venture from the team behind Mumbai’s beloved Bluebop Café, is here to transform your sandwich experience. Now available for delivery on Swiggy, Bluebop Subs brings handcrafted, chef-driven sandwiches right to your doorstep — all made with in-house baked breads, premium ingredients, and a generous dollop of soul.
Bluebop Subs is not just another sandwich brand; it carries forward the Bluebop Café’s legacy of quality, creativity, and flavour. Each sandwich is crafted with care, featuring breads baked fresh in-house, including hearty rye and gluten-free options for mindful eaters. Whether you’re a vegetarian, meat lover, classic fan, or flavour adventurer, there’s a sandwich here made just for you.
Eesha Sukhi, Director of The Bluebop Café, shares, “We’ve poured the same care and craftsmanship into Bluebop Subs that made The Bluebop Café what it is today. This launch is a celebration of flavour, convenience, and creativity. We wanted to bring restaurant-quality sandwiches to your homes without compromise.”
Expect a lineup of sandwiches that go beyond the ordinary:
The OG Fried Chicken sub with slaw and house sauce
Bright, creamy Egg & Avocado delight
Indulgent Pepperoni Melt
Spicy, satisfying Peri Peri Cottage Cheese
Crisp and creamy Caesar Chicken Salad
Classic favourites like Caprese, Ham & Cheese, and BLT
Wholesome vegan options like Tofu Green Delight
And for the sweet tooth, don’t miss their decadent dessert sandwiches:
Lotus Cheesecake Sub
Oreo Cheesecake Sub
From gourmet to comfort, health-conscious to hearty, Bluebop Subs is designed to deliver happiness, whether you’re working late, binge-watching your favourite series, or just really hungry.
Available now for delivery across Mumbai on Swiggy.Follow them on Instagram: @bluebopsubsContact: 093722 02586
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