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By Nithyakala Neelakandan
Published on May 30, 2024
The prestigious Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024 competition, showcasing India’s finest pastry talent, recently concluded in Mumbai. This year, Chef Vedangi Gawde was crowned the winner, with Chef Yash Chhabria as the first runner-up and Chef Sandeep Sharma and Chef Nilesh Dewulkar sharing the second runner-up spot.
Callebaut, famed for its high-quality Belgian chocolate, organized the event in collaboration with Taj Lands End as the Hospitality Partner. Now in its third edition, the competition aims to provide a platform for India’s top pastry chefs to showcase their innovative use of chocolate in bakery, pastry, and confectionery creations.
The journey to the finale was marked by remarkable talent and creativity. Pastry chefs from across India participated in regional qualifiers held in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. The eight finalists—Chef Krishanu Dey, Chef Milan Shoran, Chef Sandeep Sharma, Chef Vedangi Gawde, Chef Anshul Grover, Chef Nilesh Dewulkar, Chef Shashi Kiran, and Chef Yash Chhabria—competed fiercely for the top honors.
Chef Vedangi Gawde, Chef de Partie at Sivako, emerged victorious. Chef Yash Chhabria, Pastry Cook and Co-Founder of Cacaobleu, was the first runner-up. Chef Sandeep Sharma, Demi Chef de Partie at JW Marriott Kolkata, and Chef Nilesh Dewulkar, Pastry Chef at Sofitel BKC, tied for the second runner-up position.
Dhruva Jyoti Sanyal, Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Cocoa & Chocolate Ingredients India, expressed pride in the event's success. He highlighted the competition’s theme, "Craft Your Signature," which encouraged chefs to express their authentic selves through their creations. He praised the participants for their exceptional skill, talent, and passion displayed throughout the competition.
Chef Pratik Deshmukh, Head of Chocolate Academy Mumbai, was thrilled with the level of talent showcased. "Overall, we had a great turnout for the competition. We had the opportunity to taste some really unique flavor combinations as well. The Chefs truly pushed their boundaries through the competition and proudly crafted their signatures. The level of pastry skill has indeed evolved, which was displayed throughout the competition, be it with newer, more efficient methods of working or flavor pairings and techniques used to craft bonbons, entremets, and other creations."
Global Callebaut Creative Lead Chef Minette Smith, who judged the event for the second time, echoed these sentiments. She appreciated the contestants' creativity and their use of local ingredients. She remarked on the difficulty of selecting a winner due to the high level of competition and wished all participants success in their future endeavors.
Chef Vedangi Gawde said, “I am very happy to win the title of the Callebaut Patisserie for the year. This is a very special title for me, and this win means a lot to me.”
The grand finale featured contestants creating exquisite signature dishes across various categories, judged by culinary experts including Chef Minette Smith, Chef Romain Renard, Head of MENA Chocolate Academies, and Chef Arvind Prasad, Ambassador for Callebaut Chocolates in India.
The event was supported by several partners: Taj Lands End as the Hospitality Partner, The Chocolate Academy Mumbai as the Knowledge Partner, KitchenAid as the Appliance Partner, Unox as the Equipment Partner, Elle & Vire Professional and Delta Nutritives as the Ingredient Partners, BW Hotelier as the Media Partner, Zee Zest as the Lifestyle Partner, and VBev as the Celebration Partner.
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By Hariharan U
Published on April 22, 2026
As the excitement of the Indian Premier League 2026 builds across the city, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway has introduced a dedicated match-viewing experience at Hydeout Bar & Lounge.
Designed as a lively, open-air setting, the venue offers a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere where guests can catch live matches with comfortable lounge seating, ambient lighting, and a social, fan-driven vibe. The experience will run until May 31, 2026, aligning with the ongoing cricket season.
To enhance the match-day experience, the venue has introduced themed beverage offers inspired by cricket moments. Highlights include the Powerplay Bucket, featuring four beers available until the sixth over, and the Hat-Trick Bucket, where guests receive a complimentary beer if a hat-trick occurs during the match.
Additional offerings include the Free Hit Bucket, paired with snacks such as French fries or masala peanuts, and the Fan Jersey Bucket, which rewards guests wearing an India jersey with a 20% discount. These curated combinations aim to bring together sport, socialising, and casual dining in a single setting.
With its focus on shared experiences, themed offers, and a vibrant viewing environment, Hydeout Bar & Lounge positions itself as a go-to destination for cricket enthusiasts looking to enjoy the IPL season in a more engaging, community-driven atmosphere.
Penguin Overseas has announced the launch of ‘So Good Soju’ in India, marking its entry into the fast-growing low-ABV, flavour-forward beverage segment that is reshaping consumption patterns among younger consumers.
Positioned as a modern lifestyle drink, the brand reflects a shift towards lighter, more social, and experience-driven drinking occasions, from house parties to casual evenings out. The launch taps into the rising popularity of Soju, globally recognised as the largest-selling spirit category by volume.
In India, this growing familiarity is being driven by increasing exposure to Korean culture across music, entertainment, and cuisine, translating into higher demand for approachable and versatile alternatives to traditional spirits.
Manufactured locally, So Good Soju combines global inspiration with local relevance, backed by Penguin Overseas’ 17-year experience in building the Soju category in India. The product is designed to deliver a clean, smooth, and balanced drinking experience, using natural flavours.
The portfolio is available in both still and sparkling formats, with current variants including Peach, Green Apple, Yuzu Lime, and K-Bomb, while additional flavours such as Strawberry, Blueberry, Green Grape, and Lemon are in development.
Commenting on the launch, Jaspreet Singh, Founder and CEO, Penguin Overseas, highlighted the shift in consumer behaviour towards lighter and flavour-led drinking experiences, noting that the brand aims to make social drinking more accessible and enjoyable.
Positioned as an accessible yet premium offering, So Good Soju is priced competitively, making it more affordable than imported alternatives while maintaining a strong flavour profile.
Currently available in Maharashtra and Haryana, the brand is set to expand into Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu in a phased rollout.
With its vibrant flavour range, easy-drinking profile, and cultural relevance, So Good Soju aims to play a key role in shaping the next phase of India’s evolving social drinking landscape.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Cricket season brings with it a lively buzz, and The Hood by Olive in Bengaluru is all set to match that energy with a vibrant match-day experience. Located in Ashok Nagar, this neighbourhood bar creates a setting that feels both social and engaging, making it a great spot for fans to come together and enjoy the game.
The space combines a stylish design with a relaxed layout, offering comfortable booth seating along with a casual indoor courtyard. Guests can catch every moment of the match on large screens while soaking in the upbeat atmosphere that builds with every over.
Alongside the screenings, the menu adds to the experience with a mix of global flavours. From Lebanese Shankleesh to Japanese Toro Temaki and crispy Arare Shrimp, there’s a wide range of options to choose from. The drinks menu features signature cocktails as well as classic beers, giving guests plenty of choices to keep the mood going throughout the match.
Whether it’s a quick outing with friends or a longer match-day plan, The Hood by Olive brings together food, drinks, and cricket in a way that feels easy and enjoyable.
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