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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 March 10, 2026
If you've been looking for a reason to plan a Maldives trip this April, Chef Hari Nayak just gave you one.
The celebrated chef is returning to Baraabaru, the award-winning Indian restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa for another residency that promises to be every bit as special as his previous visits. Baraabaru, named among CNN Travel's Top 10 Maldives' Finest Tables, is already one of the most respected Indian dining destinations in the region. With Chef Nayak back in the kitchen alongside Head Chef Kishan Singh, the combination of coastal Indian tradition and global culinary technique is going to be firing on all cylinders.
This season's menu is a confident journey through India's regional flavours but done with personality and a contemporary edge that makes each dish feel fresh. Gujarat's Anda Ghotala makes an appearance alongside Kolkata's Beguni, while black garlic naan and barbecue butter chicken chops bring bold, satisfying flavours to the table. And then there's the gulab jamun crème brûlée, a playful, East-meets-West dessert that sounds like exactly the kind of thing you'd remember long after the meal ends.
The dish that's likely to turn the most heads, though, is Chef Nayak's signature whole baked lobster with coconut turmeric sauce and lemon rice. Bold, fragrant, and unmistakably his, it's the kind of dish that captures everything great about modern Indian cooking in a single plate.
Chef Nayak will be in residence at Baraabaru from 30th March to 4th April 2026. It's a short window, so if this is on your radar, now is the time to make it happen.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal is bringing a delightful celebration of French confectionery to the city this March with The Macaron Month, an exclusive dessert showcase at its patisserie, Glazed.
Running throughout the month, the festival highlights a vibrant selection of handcrafted macarons designed to celebrate delicate textures, refined sweetness, and playful flavours. The all-day offering invites dessert enthusiasts to indulge in an elegant lineup of colourful treats, each crafted with precision by the hotel’s pastry team.
The curated menu features an enticing variety of flavours created to appeal to every palate. Guests can savour indulgent options such as Strawberry Cheesecake Macaron, Hazelnut with White Chocolate Ganache Macaron, and Red Velvet Macaron, alongside unique selections like Taro, Mocha, and the refreshing Lemon Blueberry Macaron.
Each macaron offers the signature balance that defines the classic French confection—crisp, delicate shells paired with smooth, flavourful fillings that melt effortlessly on the palate.
Designed as both a visual and culinary delight, the collection highlights the artistry behind pastry craftsmanship while offering guests a playful and indulgent dessert experience. With their vibrant colours and refined flavours, the macarons promise to deliver small bites of sweetness that leave a lasting impression.
Guests visiting Glazed can enjoy the macarons throughout the day, making it a perfect stop for a mid-morning treat, afternoon indulgence, or a sweet takeaway.
With The Macaron Month, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal invites dessert lovers to step into a world where flavour meets artistry, transforming each macaron into a moment of pure indulgence.
Garden Café marked International Women’s Day with a warm and thoughtful gesture dedicated to celebrating the strength, spirit, and contributions of women. On the occasion, the café offered complimentary drinks to every woman visiting the café, creating a simple yet meaningful way to honour the day.
The initiative was designed to celebrate womanhood while giving guests a relaxed space to gather with friends and family. Women visiting the café could enjoy conversations, spend quality time, and feel appreciated as part of the special celebration.
Through this gesture, Garden Café joined the global spirit of Women’s Day, recognising the important role women play in shaping families, communities, and society. The café hoped the initiative would add a memorable touch to the day for all guests who visited.
Along with the celebration, guests enjoyed a menu that reflects the café’s love for comforting and flavourful dishes. The spread includes South Indian favourites such as Mysore Dosa, Topi Dosa, Family Dosa, and Cheese Butter Masala Dosa. For those who prefer continental bites, the café also serves popular pizzas like Garlic Cheese and Mixed Cheese.
The food experience is complemented by a range of refreshing beverages and aromatic drinks. Guests can choose from options like American Ice Cream Soda, Orange Blossom, Hot Chocolate, and traditional Filter Coffee while enjoying the calm garden-style ambience of the café.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Mr. Sandip Nowlakha, Owner of Garden Café, said, “Women's Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and dedicate a special moment to the women in our lives. Today at Garden Café, we hope every guest enjoys a relaxing time, a warm gesture and a little celebration of her strength, spirit and joy.”
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