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.


Bountyful Opens in Bengaluru, Celebrating India's Overlooked Regional Cuisines

Bountyful Opens in Bengaluru, Celebrating India's Overlooked Regional Cuisines

By Hariharan U

Published on October 23, 2026

Bountyful has opened in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, bringing lesser-known regional Indian dishes to the restaurant table through a vegetarian menu inspired by the country's diverse culinary traditions.

The new restaurant explores approximately 18–20 regional cuisines, moving beyond familiar restaurant staples to highlight everyday food, traditional ingredients and cooking techniques associated with homes, hill villages and small-town kitchens across India.

Built around the idea of abundance and shared experiences, Bountyful focuses on the kind of comforting, home-style food that often remains absent from mainstream restaurant menus. The offering brings together humble everyday preparations and regional specialities in a contemporary setting designed to feel warm, relaxed and inviting.

The menu features dishes such as Hari Moong Dal, Bihari Sattu, Malai Gatta, Bhapa Paneer and Khatte Nadru, alongside soups including Himalayan Thukpa and Tomato Tulsi Rasa. The salad selection includes Green Moong Raw Mango Salad, adding fresh and tangy flavours to the vegetarian spread.

Drinks form another part of the restaurant's regional approach. The selection includes spiced and tangy combinations inspired by ingredients such as kokum, jeera, coriander and chilli, alongside zero-proof creations featuring distinctive flavour profiles. Sweeter options inspired by paan, rose and thandai complement the menu.

The dessert selection includes Kesar Bhapa Doi, a Bengali classic, Rose Milk Cake and Gud Til Chocolate Mousse. Together, the food and beverage offerings aim to showcase the range of flavours found across India's regional kitchens, from savoury and spice-led preparations to familiar traditional sweets.

Speaking about the opening, Pallavii Gupta, Founder, Bountyful, said, “Bountyful is built on memories of the comforting hills, towns and regions across India. It's a true celebration of regional food, familiar ingredients and unfamiliar dishes.”

She added that the name reflects the restaurant's sense of abundance, while its contemporary environment draws inspiration from traditional Indian architecture and patterns derived from everyday cooking vessels. The intention, she said, was to create a dining experience that feels modern while retaining the warmth and familiarity associated with Indian hospitality.

The interiors combine murals, layered materials, lighting and subtle decorative details to create an expressive space with a lived-in character. The restaurant accommodates 40 guests and is intended for diners looking to explore regional food in an informal setting.

By placing everyday dishes alongside less familiar regional preparations, Bountyful adds another dimension to Bengaluru's dining scene, bringing attention to food traditions that are often overshadowed by more widely recognised Indian restaurant dishes.

Restaurant Details

  • Restaurant: Bountyful

  • Location: Indiranagar, Bengaluru

  • Cuisine: Vegetarian, regional Indian

  • Seating Capacity: 40 guests

  • Timings: 12 PM–4 PM and 7 PM–11 PM

  • Weekly Off: Monday


Chins Bar, Coffee & Kitchen Opens on Lavelle Road with 400-Seat All-Day Experience

Chins Bar, Coffee & Kitchen Opens on Lavelle Road with 400-Seat All-Day Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on October 23, 2026

Chins Bar, Coffee & Kitchen is set to open on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, introducing a 400-seater, three-floor destination that brings together specialty coffee, global cuisine, cocktails, beer and music under one roof. An evolution of Chinlung, the new venue is designed to adapt to the city's changing pace, moving from daytime coffee and dining to evening drinks and late-night gatherings.

Planned to operate from 11 AM to 1 AM, Chins will introduce breakfast after its first month of operations, extending its hours to 8 AM to 1 AM. The all-day concept brings distinct dining and social spaces together, catering to different occasions throughout the day.

Three Floors, Three Experiences

Spread across three floors, the venue gives each level a distinct identity. The ground floor houses the coffee bar, designed for quick caffeine stops, leisurely brews and informal meetings. The first floor is dedicated to the kitchen and dining, offering a setting for casual meals and longer conversations.

The third floor houses the bar, with cocktails, beer, spirits and music shaping the atmosphere as the day moves into the evening.

A Global Menu with Coastal and Asian Influences

Chins' food menu brings together a range of cuisines, spanning sushi, dim sum and bao, Asian favourites, Indian grills, coastal preparations, pizzas, pastas and comforting mains.

Highlights include Sesame Greens, Burrata Ponzu Salad, Ponzu Butter Dimsum, Mushroom Katsu Bao, Thai Chilli Prawns and Bengali Five Spice Chicken. The Indian selection features Ghee Roast, Chicken Sukka and Coastal Prawn Curry, adding regional flavours to the broader menu.

The varied offering is designed to accommodate different dining preferences, from casual meals and shared plates to longer gatherings centred on food and drinks.

Coffee at the Centre of the Daytime Experience

Coffee plays a central role in the daytime offering, with the Victoria Arduino Eagle One NEO serving as the centrepiece of the coffee bar. Custom-crafted in white with warm wooden accents, the Italian-engineered machine uses NEO technology for precision extraction, with an emphasis on reducing energy consumption and waste.

The equipment supports the coffee programme throughout the day, from morning flat whites to late-night Espresso Martinis, bringing the coffee and bar experiences together within the same venue.

As evening approaches, the focus shifts towards cocktails, spirits and beer. The cocktail programme is designed around distinctive yet approachable drinks that complement the food, music and social atmosphere.

Discovering the World of Finding Chins

Adding an interactive element to the venue is Finding Chins, a concept built around discovery. The Chins mascot appears throughout the space in hidden graphics, illustrations, mirrors and objects, encouraging guests to look for details as they explore the venue.

The concept adds a playful dimension to the dining and drinking experience, giving visitors new elements to discover across repeat visits.

Speaking about the opening, Prajwal Lokesh, Managing Director, Chins Bar, Coffee & Kitchen, said the new destination builds on the community Chinlung has developed in Bengaluru while introducing a contemporary setting for coffee, food, cocktails and socialising.

He described Chins as an evolution of the existing brand, with a curated cocktail programme and an experience designed to encourage guests to return.

With its three-floor layout, broad culinary offering and combination of coffee, dining and nightlife, Chins Bar, Coffee & Kitchen adds a new all-day format to Lavelle Road's dining and social scene.

Venue Details

  • Venue: Chins Bar, Coffee & Kitchen

  • Location: Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka

  • Timings: 11 AM–1 AM

  • Breakfast: Planned from 8 AM after the first month of operations

  • Seating Capacity: 400

  • Cuisine: Global cuisine, coffee and bar bites

  • Reservations: 063603 82176


IHCL’s Soulinaire Curates Bespoke Festive Catering Experiences Across India

IHCL’s Soulinaire Curates Bespoke Festive Catering Experiences Across India

By Hariharan U

Published on October 23, 2026

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is bringing its signature lifestyle catering brand, Soulinaire, to festive celebrations across India, offering bespoke menus and experiential dining formats for occasions ranging from intimate Diwali gatherings to weddings and corporate events.

Established in 2019, Soulinaire draws on IHCL’s culinary heritage and hospitality expertise to create personalised dining experiences tailored to the occasion, venue and host’s preferences. Its festive offering combines curated menus, artistic presentation and attentive service, positioning food as an integral part of seasonal entertaining.

Bespoke Menus and Experiential Dining

Soulinaire’s culinary repertoire spans contemporary Indian, regional Indian, Asian, European and international cuisines. Menus are developed around individual preferences and the nature of each celebration, with an emphasis on flavour, presentation and culinary craftsmanship.

The brand offers a range of dining formats, including interactive live cooking stations, flying buffets, grazing tables and chef-led experiences. Live stations add an element of theatre to celebrations, while flying buffets provide a flexible format for social gatherings. Grazing tables combine curated food selections with visual presentation, complementing the setting and style of the event.

These formats can be arranged individually or in combination, depending on the venue, scale of the gathering and host’s requirements. The approach allows Soulinaire to cater to different styles of entertaining, from relaxed home celebrations to larger festive soirées and formal occasions.

Catering for Festive Gatherings, Weddings and Corporate Events

With the festive season bringing families and friends together, Soulinaire is offering catering experiences for Diwali parties, private gatherings, wedding functions, outdoor celebrations and corporate occasions.

Each experience is planned around the host’s vision, with menu selection, dining formats, presentation and guest service considered as part of the overall event. The emphasis is on creating a cohesive experience in which culinary offerings complement the occasion rather than function as a standalone service.

Soulinaire is accepting festive and outdoor catering enquiries across Delhi-NCR, Jaipur, Udaipur and select locations in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh; Ahmedabad and other locations in Gujarat; Mumbai, Alibaug and other destinations across Maharashtra; Bengaluru; and Kolkata. Service availability is subject to confirmation based on the destination, venue and specific event requirements.

By combining culinary creativity with IHCL’s hospitality expertise, Soulinaire aims to offer hosts a personalised approach to festive entertaining, with food, presentation and service designed around the character of each celebration.

About Soulinaire

Established in 2019, Soulinaire is IHCL’s signature lifestyle catering brand, offering bespoke culinary and hospitality experiences for weddings, private gatherings, corporate events and special occasions. The brand brings together diverse cuisines, contemporary culinary creativity and thoughtful presentation to create tailored dining experiences.

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