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.


Sheraton Grand Palace Indore Launches “Sarafa se Chappan” Culinary Experience

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore Launches “Sarafa se Chappan” Culinary Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on May 15, 2026

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore has introduced a new immersive dining concept titled “Sarafa se Chappan,” designed to celebrate the vibrant street food culture of Indore through a curated culinary journey.

The experience brings together the iconic flavours of Sarafa Bazaar’s lively night food scene and the diverse offerings of Chappan Dukan, two of the city’s most celebrated culinary destinations. Hosted at S Café, the initiative transforms familiar street food favourites into a refined, sit-down dining format while preserving their authenticity and regional character.

The specially curated menu features a wide range of Indori street food staples, including Potato Hot Dog, Sweet Potato Spiral, Jeeravan Spiced Corn, Indori Chatpati Bhel, and Tandoori Fruits. Complementing the food selection are locally inspired beverages such as Jamun Shots and Pineapple Crusher, designed to reflect the bold, tangy, and refreshing flavours associated with Indore’s street culture.

The concept is built around storytelling through food, where each dish represents a sensory connection to the city’s culinary heritage. By blending nostalgia with presentation-driven dining, the experience aims to recreate the energy and vibrancy of Indore’s bustling food streets within a premium hospitality setting.

According to the hotel, the initiative is designed to offer guests more than just a meal, focusing instead on immersive dining that engages taste, memory, and culture. The emphasis remains on authenticity, creativity, and regional identity, while presenting street food in a structured and elevated format.

The “Sarafa se Chappan” experience will be available every weekend from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Sheraton Grand Palace Indore, offering guests a curated journey through one of India’s most celebrated food cities.


Oliveto brings Venerdì Italiano evenings to The St. Regis Goa Resort this June

Oliveto brings Venerdì Italiano evenings to The St. Regis Goa Resort this June

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 15, 2026

Oliveto at The St. Regis Goa Resort is set to bring the charm of Italy to Goa with the launch of Venerdì Italiano evenings this June. Inspired by the relaxed and soulful dining traditions of Italy, the experience invites guests to slow down and enjoy a specially curated evening centred around food, conversation, and timeless flavours.

Scheduled every Friday throughout June, the dining experience embraces the essence of La Dolce Vita and recreates the warmth of a classic neighbourhood trattoria in a refined setting.

Guests can look forward to a chef-curated set menu featuring beloved Italian favourites thoughtfully presented with a contemporary touch. The menu will take diners through a carefully planned culinary journey, beginning with elegant antipasti and moving through signature classics before ending on indulgent dessert notes.

Designed to blend authenticity with modern finesse, Venerdì Italiano aims to offer more than just a meal. The evening promises a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy the comfort of traditional Italian dining with a refreshed perspective.

The experience will take place every Friday in June from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM at Oliveto, The St. Regis Goa Resort.


Continuum launches in JP Nagar with a fresh take on global vegetarian dining

Continuum launches in JP Nagar with a fresh take on global vegetarian dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 15, 2026

A new vegetarian dining destination has arrived in Bengaluru with the launch of Continuum in JP Nagar. Designed around experiences, interaction, and evolving food stories, the restaurant brings together familiar flavours and global inspirations through a modern vegetarian approach.

Continuum celebrates vegetarian cuisine with a fresh perspective, blending comfort with creativity. Created for families as well as a younger generation increasingly embracing vegetarian lifestyles, the concept aims to offer a dining experience that feels both familiar and exciting. Every element of the space has been planned to encourage connection and create memorable moments.

At the centre of the experience is a dynamic show kitchen paired with refined tableside interactions and personalised service. Rather than being just a place to dine, Continuum focuses on making each visit immersive, social, and engaging.

A key aspect of the restaurant is its evolving menu philosophy. Instead of a fixed offering, the menu is designed to grow and change over time through three distinct layers that bring together guest participation, seasonal inspiration, and signature dishes.

One of its unique concepts is the 30-Day Guest Collab Menu, where guests contribute ideas, flavours, and inspirations that become part of limited-edition dishes. This collaborative approach gives diners a sense of involvement and ensures something new with every visit.

Alongside this is the 90-Day Seasonal Continuum, featuring dishes inspired by changing seasons, local produce availability, and principles influenced by nature and Ayurveda. With changing narratives across monsoon, winter, and summer, the menu evolves with time while staying connected to its surroundings.

At the heart of the offering sits The Continuum Core, a collection of globally and locally inspired vegetarian favourites reimagined with contemporary techniques and modern presentation, balancing comfort with innovation.

The beverage menu also introduces signature zero-proof creations including Picante Passion, Rose Paloma, and Alla Sangria. Designed to deliver the depth and character of classic cocktails without alcohol, these beverages go through infusion and resting techniques that allow flavours to develop over time. The result is a layered and immersive drinking experience with balanced notes of citrus, fruit, herbs, and spice.

Continuum is located at 788, 1st Floor, 15th Cross Road, Above Truffles, Nagarjuna Enclave, 1st Phase, JP Nagar, Bengaluru – 78 and is open from 12 Noon to 4 PM and 7 PM to 11:30 PM.

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