Chef Vedangi Gawde Triumphs as India's Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024

Chef Vedangi Gawde Triumphs as India's Callebaut Pâtissier of the Year 2024

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.

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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."

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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.


Monkey Bar Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Special Mexican Menu in Bengaluru

Monkey Bar Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Special Mexican Menu in Bengaluru

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 8, 2026

Monkey Bar is adding a festive Mexican twist to Bengaluru’s dining scene with a special limited-edition Cinco de Mayo menu at its Museum Road outlet. Available from 4th to 17th May 2026, the menu brings together bold flavours, refreshing cocktails, and a lively atmosphere inspired by the globally celebrated Mexican festival.

Observed every year on 5th May, Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla and is widely celebrated across the world through food, music, and cultural festivities. Bringing that spirit to Bengaluru, Monkey Bar has curated a menu that blends comforting dishes with playful flavours and signature drinks.

The food offerings include freshly prepared tacos served with salsa and lime, with options such as Avocado & Cottage Cheese and Grilled Chicken & Prawn. Guests can also end their meal on a sweet note with desserts like the smooth Caramel Custard Flan featuring hints of vanilla and caramel, or the Sopapilla Cheesecake Bar layered with cinnamon-sugar pastry and a creamy filling.

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Adding to the celebration is Monkey Bar’s range of signature Picantes. These tequila-based cocktails are available in four varieties, OG, Carrot & Ginger, Guava, and Mango & Chilli, each offering a unique balance of spice and freshness. Guests can also enjoy the Michelada, a refreshing blend of beer, tequila, lime juice, and spicy sauces, perfect for the summer season.

With vibrant flavours, refreshing drinks, and its signature lively setting, Monkey Bar’s Cinco de Mayo celebration promises a fun-filled dining experience designed for relaxed evenings and memorable moments with friends and family.

  • Venue: Monkey Bar, Museum Road, Bengaluru
  • Dates: 4th – 17th May 2026
  • Timings: 12 PM to 1 AM.

Sweet Truth Celebrates Mother’s Day with ‘Sweet Mom of Mine’ Campaign

Sweet Truth Celebrates Mother’s Day with ‘Sweet Mom of Mine’ Campaign

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2026

Sweet Truth, a desserts brand from Rebel Foods, is celebrating Mother’s Day with its heartfelt campaign ‘Sweet Mom of Mine’. The initiative focuses on the small, everyday acts of love that often go unnoticed but play a big role in shaping our lives.

Built around the idea that the most meaningful memories come from simple and consistent gestures, the campaign highlights moments like packing tiffins, staying up late, or remembering little preferences. These everyday actions form the emotional core of the campaign, bringing attention to the quiet ways in which mothers care for their families.

At the centre of the campaign is the ‘Receipt of Love’ Mother’s Day card, a creative take on a retail bill. The card lists familiar gestures, each marked at ₹0, symbolising that a mother’s love has no price. It ends with the word ‘Priceless’, capturing the message in a simple yet powerful way. This card will be included with every order from Sweet Truth across its 380+ locations PAN India, turning each delivery into a thoughtful experience during the campaign period.

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Commenting on the campaign, Nishant Kedia, CMO at Rebel Foods said, “At Sweet Truth, we believe that the most meaningful expressions of love often lie in the smallest, everyday moments. With ‘Sweet Mom of Mine’, we wanted to celebrate these quiet gestures that shape our lives in profound ways, even if we don’t always recognise them at the time. The ‘Receipt of Love’ is a simple yet powerful reminder that a mother’s care is truly priceless, and we hope it inspires people to pause, reflect, and express their gratitude this Mother’s Day.”

Along with the campaign, the brand is also encouraging customers to celebrate with its range of desserts. From specially curated Mother’s Day cakes to dessert boxes, the idea is to create a complete “sweet + sentiment” gifting experience, suitable for both at-home celebrations and surprise moments.

The campaign will also extend to digital platforms, where short films and social media content will highlight relatable “mom moments”, those small yet meaningful experiences that stay with us over time. Adding to this, influencers and content creators will share their personal stories, recreating memories and presenting the ‘Receipt of Love’ card along with desserts, inviting audiences to reflect on their own journeys with their mothers.

With this initiative, Sweet Truth brings together emotion and indulgence, making Mother’s Day celebrations more personal and memorable across the country.


Harajuku Bakehouse Celebrates Alphonso Mango Season with New Menu

Harajuku Bakehouse Celebrates Alphonso Mango Season with New Menu

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2026

Harajuku Bakehouse brings the joy of mango season to life with a thoughtfully curated menu that celebrates Alphonso in its most delightful form. This limited-time offering features seven desserts, each blending the finesse of Japanese pastry techniques with the richness of India’s most loved summer fruit. Made using fresh Alphonso mangoes, every creation reflects the signature detail and warmth the Bakehouse is known for.

The menu features a range of desserts that feel both comforting and exciting. The Hokkaido Mango Milk Cake stands out with its soft vanilla sponge soaked in mango-flavoured milk and topped with fresh Alphonso. The Mango Rose Tart pairs an almond sablé base with mango vanilla pastry cream, finished neatly with pistachios. Each dessert is crafted to bring out the natural sweetness and freshness of mango in a simple yet memorable way.

Other highlights include the Mango Mochi, where soft Japanese dough wraps around fresh mango and vanilla cream, and the Mango Roll Cake, made with light chiffon layers and smooth mango cream. The Puru Puru Pudding adds a playful touch with its delicate wobble, served alongside cookie crumbs and mango sauce. The Mango Fraisier and Mango Bento complete the menu with rich layers and satisfying textures that stay true to the season.

For those looking to try just one, the Mango Rose Tart comes highly recommended, bringing together pistachios, Alphonso mango, and a pastry cream that truly stands out.

This special menu captures mango at its best, fresh, vibrant, and full of summer character, making it a must-visit experience for dessert lovers.

  • What: Mango Seasonal Menu
  • Where: Harajuku Bakehouse, Mumbai
  • When: Limited time during the mango season

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