Chef Vinesh Johny Celebrated as 'Born Original' Chef in Callebaut's Global Campaign

Chef Vinesh Johny Celebrated as 'Born Original' Chef in Callebaut's Global Campaign

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 18, 2024

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."

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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.


Gadda Da Vida at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Just Got a Major Upgrade, Meet GDV 2.0

Gadda Da Vida at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Just Got a Major Upgrade, Meet GDV 2.0

By Hariharan U

Published on March 10, 2026

If Gadda Da Vida was already your go-to for sundowners in Mumbai, GDV 2.0 is about to give you even more reasons to show up. The beachfront restaurant at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has just launched a full culinary and cocktail reinvention,and it's a confident, coastal-forward step up from everything that came before it.

This isn't just a menu tweak. GDV 2.0 is a proper reimagination of what the space can be,leaning hard into the seafood-driven identity that a venue sitting right by the Arabian Sea honestly should have. The food is bolder, the cocktails are sharper, and the whole experience feels more alive and social while still holding on to the relaxed sundowner energy that made the place a favourite in the first place.

The Food - Coastal, Layered and Genuinely Exciting

The new menu reads like a tour of coastal flavours done with real finesse. Headlining the seafood section are dishes like Lobster Tail with Mustard Butter, Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter, Caribbean Blackened Snapper with Plantain Purée, and Miso Glazed Seabass,each one bringing something distinct to the table. Charcoal-Grilled Prawns in Jerk Marinade and Fish Cafreal with Smoked Potato Mash round out a lineup that's as thoughtfully composed as it is satisfying.

For the table-sharing crowd, the shareable plates section is equally strong,Fennel-Smoked Fried Prawns, Jerk Chicken Skewers, and Crispy Calamari Rings sit alongside some genuinely interesting vegetarian options like Malvani Soy Tacos and Truffle Mushroom Xacuti Tartlets. The kind of spread that makes ordering for the whole table actually fun.

Desserts close things out on a tropical high,Tropical Fruit Pavlova, Coconut Mango Panna Cotta, and an Espresso Tiramisu that feels like the perfect full stop to a coastal meal.

The Cocktails - Built to Match

What sets GDV 2.0 apart from a standard menu relaunch is the intentional pairing of cocktails with the food. The drink menu has been designed to complement the seafood-forward dishes, with signature creations,Angel's Delight, Synapse Sour, Temple Smoke, Gadda's Secret, and Plumnori each bringing layered aromatics and vibrant profiles to the mix. Progressive infusions and a strong element of mixology theatre add visual drama to the whole experience, turning what could be a regular evening out into something genuinely multisensory.

Kunal Shanker, General Manager at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, explained the thinking behind it all,"With GDV 2.0, our vision was to go beyond a menu refresh and reimagine the entire beachfront experience at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Gadda Da Vida has always been synonymous with sundowners, and this change allows us to align the culinary narrative more closely with our seaside setting. With this menu revamp, we aim to elevate the value proposition of our F&B portfolio while reinforcing our standing as one of Mumbai's most dynamic beachfront hospitality destinations."

Sunset, seafood, cocktails with personality, and the Arabian Sea as your backdrop,GDV 2.0 makes a strong case for being Mumbai's most complete beachfront dining experience right now.


Madam Chocolate and BELAGIO Unveil Festive Christmas Gifting Collections 2025

Madam Chocolate and BELAGIO Unveil Festive Christmas Gifting Collections 2025

By Hariharan U

Published on December 16, 2025

This Christmas, Bengaluru’s dessert scene gets a festive upgrade as two homegrown brands, Madam Chocolate and BELAGIO, introduce their limited-edition Christmas Collections 2025. Designed for gifting, celebrations, and corporate hampers, both collections focus on handcrafted quality, festive flavours, and thoughtful presentation.

Madam Chocolate: Christmas Collection 2025

Bangalore’s fast-growing chocolate dessert brand, Madam Chocolate, brings festive cheer with a playful yet indulgent Christmas Collection that blends craftsmanship with holiday nostalgia. Perfect for personal gifting or festive tables, the collection highlights the brand’s love for detail and flavour.

The collection features the Belgian Couverture Chocolate Santa, a festive centrepiece crafted using premium Belgian chocolate. Another highlight is the Plum Cake House, an eggless plum cake soaked in orange juice and warming spices, then dipped in Madam Chocolate’s signature milk chocolate — a comforting classic with a festive twist.

Adding colour and charm are the Christmas Petit Gâteaux, featuring seasonal versions of popular favourites like Signature Choco Melt, Panda Black Forest, and Dubai Cheese Bomb, all finished with festive décor. The Christmas Bon Bons, hand-painted and artisanal, round off the collection, making them ideal for sharing or gifting.

Every creation reflects Madam Chocolate’s focus on handcrafted indulgence, combining festive visuals with familiar flavours that feel joyful and comforting.

BELAGIO: Christmas Couture Dessert Gifting 2025

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Luxury online patisserie BELAGIO introduces its Couture Dessert Gifting Collection 2025, inspired by Italian-style patisserie and couture craftsmanship. Known for its refined textures and elegant presentation, BELAGIO’s festive range is tailored for premium gifting and holiday celebrations.

The collection includes a curated Chocolate Collection featuring rich, multi-layered entremets, alongside a Berry Collection that offers lighter, fruit-forward flavours. The Fruit Collection brings together tropical and seasonal fruits in vibrant, festive compositions. For customised needs, BELAGIO also offers eggless and dietary-friendly options on request.

Each dessert is built with layers of sponge, mousse, cream, and ganache, finished with flawless mirror glazes and presented in bespoke BELAGIO packaging making every gift feel thoughtful and special.

Order Christmas Gifts: www.belagio.in

Together, Madam Chocolate and BELAGIO offer two distinct yet equally indulgent ways to celebrate Christmas 2025 — whether through playful handcrafted chocolates or refined couture-style desserts. From personal gifting to corporate celebrations, these festive collections promise sweetness, style, and seasonal cheer.


Manam Chocolate Spreads the Joy This Diwali with Its 2025 Festive Collection

Manam Chocolate Spreads the Joy This Diwali with Its 2025 Festive Collection

By Hariharan U

Published on October 11, 2025

The clinking of glasses, laughter echoing through homes, and tables filled with sweets, snacks, and gifts, it can only mean one thing: Diwali is here. And this year, Manam Chocolate joins the celebration with its Diwali Edition 2025, crafted to capture the spirit of togetherness that defines the season.

Manam’s festive collection celebrates the tables we gather around, where families reunite, friends reconnect, and conversations stretch late into the night. Whether it’s for a long dinner, a taash night, or simply a quiet evening at home, the brand’s new collection brings something special to every kind of gathering. Because at the heart of Diwali, there’s always room for more, more laughter, more food, and of course, more chocolate.

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The Manam Diwali Edition 2025 is designed around the theme of festive tables, filled with gifts to share, flavours to discover, and moments to savour. The collection includes an array of indulgent chocolates, pastries, and desserts, offering something for every celebration and every palate. From grand centerpiece assortments to small treats meant to be shared, Manam invites everyone to create their own kind of Diwali.

India’s award-winning craft chocolate brand brings a collection of bonbons, palettes, tablets, clusters, cookies, thins, spreads, and more, all made from cacao beans grown in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Each creation is beautifully packed in limited-edition boxes illustrated by artist Namrata Kumar, whose signature impressionistic style captures scenes from Manam’s cacao farms and fermentery, the Chocolate Karkhana in Hyderabad, and homes filled with festive warmth.

The Highlights of Manam’s Diwali 2025 Collection, The Diwali Indulgence Collection – Bite-sized bonbons and palettes in flavours like Coconut & Curry Leaf, Hazelnut Praline, Lemon Cheesecake, and Birthday Cake. Treats & Tablets Box – A mix of textures and origins featuring Malabar 69%, Toffee Almond, and Raspberry & Rose, Celebration & Gifting Assortments – Ranging from the lavish Diwali Celebration Box to the compact Diwali Snack Selection, each box is crafted for gifting and gatherings. Diwali Preference Boxes – Curated to suit every taste, including dark, milk, vegan, and sweet-spice profiles, The Diwali Tablet Library – A selection of Manam’s most loved tablets like Pistachio Fudge, Coconut & Almond, Chai Biscuit, and Raspberry & Rose. The Diwali Dessert Spread, A rich mix of cakes and entremets, perfect for post-dinner indulgence, Diwali Celebration Cakes – Made to order, featuring flavours such as Hazelnut Coffee, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Carrot & Apricot, and Coconut Lemon Custard. 

Each product has been designed to travel beautifully, look elegant, and fit perfectly into every festive moment — from gifting to hosting.

Visit & Order:
Manam Chocolate is available at:

  • New Delhi: Eldeco Centre, Saket

  • Hyderabad: Manam Chocolate Karkhana, Banjara Hills; Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar, Knowledge City
    Pan-India deliveries are available via www.manamchocolate.com. Orders can also be placed through Swiggy and Zomato in Hyderabad.

About Manam Chocolate:

Manam Chocolate, listed among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places 2024 and Conde Nast Traveller India’s Top Restaurants 2024, is a proudly Indian Craft Chocolate® brand. Derived from the Telugu word “Manam,” meaning “We” or “Us,” the brand represents a collective of farmers, fermenters, chocolate makers, and chocolatiers from Andhra Pradesh, redefining the craft chocolate movement in India with over 300 unique products across 50 categories.

This Diwali, Manam invites everyone to celebrate the tables that bring people together — where memories are made, laughter shared, and one more piece of chocolate is always welcome. Because when Manam Chocolate is at the table, there’s always room for more.

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