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.


Celebrate Mother's Day with The Malabar Coast: A Coastal Feast Honouring Every Mother

Celebrate Mother's Day with The Malabar Coast: A Coastal Feast Honouring Every Mother

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 10, 2025

This Mother’s Day, Sunday, 11th May 2025, celebrate the spirit of motherhood with an unforgettable coastal dining experience at The Malabar Coast. With vibrant interiors, soulful regional delicacies, and heartwarming offers, it’s the perfect place to treat the special women in your life.

Whether you're planning a family gathering or a quiet meal with mom, choose from any of The Malabar Coast’s three locations—in Noida, Gurugram, or Indore—and immerse in the warm flavours of Kerala and beyond.

Exclusive Mother’s Day Offers:
Guests dining at The Malabar Coast can enjoy:

  • 10% off the total bill
    OR
  • A complimentary dessert for every mother—choose from their signature Tender Coconut Payasam, Karupati Halwa, or the ever-popular Gadbad Ice Cream.

Feast on the Flavours of the Coast:
Curated with love, the menu celebrates the best of coastal cuisine:

  • Seafood Delights
    Lobster Ghee Roast, Prawn 65, Sea Crab Masala Fry
  • Vegetarian Favourites
    Mushroom Mappas, Vegetable Stew with Appum, Coconut Rice
  • Assorted Breads
    Appum, Malabar Parotta, Neer Dosa – all made fresh
  • Traditional Desserts
    Tender Coconut Payasam, Karupati Halwa, Gadbad Ice Cream

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Let the rhythmic aroma of spices, soothing ambiance, and warm service make your Mother's Day meal extra special. Whether it’s the first time or a yearly tradition, a meal at The Malabar Coast promises cherished memories.

Event Details:
 Date: Sunday, 11th May 2025
 Time: 12:00 PM onwards

  • Noida: Binge Central, Block B, Industrial Area, Sector 62, Uttar Pradesh 201309
  • Gurugram: Ground Floor, M3M Atrium, Sector 57, Haryana – 122003
  • Indore: Phoenix Citadel Mall, Madhya Pradesh 452016

Follow The Malabar Coast on Instagram

This Mother’s Day, show your gratitude with a touch of spice, sweetness, and the soothing warmth of the coast—only at The Malabar Coast.


Chef Bala Launches Anthara, a French-American Culinary Destination in Bangalore

Chef Bala Launches Anthara, a French-American Culinary Destination in Bangalore

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 10, 2025

Chef Balasundaram Murugesan, fondly known as Chef Bala, has launched Anthara, a French-American patisserie and dining space in Bangalore’s vibrant Marathahalli neighbourhood. Spanning 2400 sq ft, Anthara offers an immersive gastronomic experience that unites the elegance of French patisserie with the bold comfort of American flavours.

Nestled amid blooming bougainvillea and warm earthy tones, Anthara has been designed to encourage guests to pause and savour life's simple indulgences. From day to night, the venue transforms from a vibrant café to a laid-back dining and lounge setting, inviting patrons to explore handcrafted coffees, custom-styled sandwiches, refined plated dishes, and an array of artisanal desserts.

Speaking about the launch, Chef Bala said, “Anthara is the culmination of my passion for soulful cuisine and my belief in the power of hospitality to connect people. With Anthara, I wanted to create a space that feels personal yet refined — where food isn’t just consumed, but truly experienced.”

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The culinary programme at Anthara showcases a daily rotation of house-baked breads, forming the base for rich, American deli-style sandwiches. A thoughtfully curated beer and coffee pairing menu complements the comfort food offerings. The French patisserie section highlights refined creations like éclairs and macarons, prepared using traditional techniques and premium ingredients.

Built on the principles of innovation, global quality, neighbourhood connection, and heartfelt hospitality, Anthara brings a refreshing dining experience to the city. Chef Bala also hinted at future expansion plans, aiming to reach more communities across Bangalore in the next five years.

With a menu that balances indulgence and authenticity, Anthara sets a new standard in Bangalore’s dining scene—where every meal is a story and every visit, a memory.


Bengaluru’s Summer Gets a Brewtiful Twist with Mango-Inspired Craft Beers

Bengaluru’s Summer Gets a Brewtiful Twist with Mango-Inspired Craft Beers

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 10, 2025

 This summer, Bengaluru's vibrant craft beer scene is celebrating the season’s favourite fruit, mango with two specially curated seasonal brews by Red Rhino Craft Brewery and BLR Brewing Co.

At Red Rhino, beer lovers can sip on the Mango Rosemary Ale, a tropical light malt that strikes a refreshing balance between juicy mango and aromatic rosemary. Clocking in at 8% ABV with a gentle 18 IBU, this ale is crisp and subtly bitter, offering just the right amount of sweetness. Priced at INR 375 for 500 ml, this brew is available only until stocks last at Red Rhino, Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, BLR Brewing Co. presents ‘Aam Ki Baat’, a Mango Saison that blends rich Alphonso mangoes with traditional Belgian Saison. With 5.3% ABV and 15 IBU, this beer offers a fruity, mildly spicy profile that’s both tropical and complex. Priced at INR 450 for 500 ml, it’s available throughout May across all BLR Brewing Co. outlets in Bengaluru.

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Both breweries have taken a creative spin on seasonal brewing, embracing local ingredients and refreshing styles that suit the city’s summer palate.

About Red Rhino:

Founded in 2016 by Kishore and Rachana Pallamreddy, Red Rhino, a division of Arrkp Hospitality is renowned for its commitment to sustainable brewing practices and innovative flavours that deliver standout craft beer experiences.

About BLR Brewing Co.:

One of Bengaluru’s largest brewparks, BLR Brewing Co. operates across three city locations and is known for its five-element theme of Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Space. With live gigs, DJ nights, and a globally inspired menu, it has recently been awarded the Bar with Best Ambiance by Times Food & Nightlife.

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