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.

image

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."

image

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.


Comfort Meets Craft at Anardana with a Winter Menu Inspired by Indian Classics

Comfort Meets Craft at Anardana with a Winter Menu Inspired by Indian Classics

By Hariharan U

Published on December 16, 2025

As winter sets in, Anardana welcomes the season with a specially curated Winter Menu that celebrates India’s much-loved seasonal dishes, reimagined with a contemporary approach. Rooted in freshness and familiar flavours, the menu reflects the restaurant’s focus on comfort-driven food crafted with care and balance.

The winter offering opens with the Lamb Bone Marrow Soup, a slow-simmered broth that delivers deep, layered flavours and comforting warmth, making it a perfect start to a cold evening. For those who enjoy rich yet delicate preparations, the Murgh Methi Malai stands out with tender chicken gently cooked with fenugreek and malai, finished with charcoal parmesan shards that add a subtle smoky note.

Vegetarian diners can enjoy the Tandoori Broccoli with Masoor Dal Hummus, where smoky, tandoor-roasted broccoli is paired with a smooth and mildly spiced lentil hummus. The dish brings together familiar Indian flavours with a modern presentation, offering balance and depth in every bite.

A true winter favourite, Makke di Roti and Sarson da Saag, anchors the menu with nostalgia and warmth, capturing the essence of the season and the comfort of traditional Indian kitchens.

To complement the food, Anardana also introduces winter beverages designed to warm and soothe. The Anardana Special Mulled Wine is served warm with citrus and spice notes, while the Kashmiri Kahwa offers a lighter option with saffron, green tea, and almonds.

Every dish on the Winter Menu reflects Anardana’s philosophy of honouring Indian culinary heritage while adding thoughtful, contemporary touches. The result is a dining experience that feels familiar, comforting, and quietly elevated — ideal for the winter months.

Address: Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi


Daryaganj Brings a Traditional North Indian Winter Feast Inspired by Timeless Recipes

Daryaganj Brings a Traditional North Indian Winter Feast Inspired by Timeless Recipes

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 16, 2025

This winter, Daryaganj invites diners to experience a thoughtfully curated menu inspired by the timeless flavours of North India. Rooted in closely guarded recipes from 1947, the seasonal offering celebrates the comforting ingredients and traditional cooking techniques that define North Indian winter cuisine. Each dish is crafted to bring warmth, nostalgia and authenticity to the dining table.

The winter journey begins with Bhutta Shorba, a wholesome and warming soup prepared using seasonal corn, setting the tone for a comforting feast. The starter selection includes delicately marinated Paneer Methi Malai Tikka and Chicken Tikka Methi Malai, char-grilled in the tandoor to achieve a fragrant and smoky depth that reflects the essence of traditional North Indian cooking.

The main course highlights the heart of North Indian winter dining with the classic Sarson Ka Saag, served with freshly made Makki Ki Roti and Bathua Ka Raita. This comforting combination captures the true spirit of the season and remains a winter favourite across generations. For those seeking hearty variations, the menu also features Sarson Saag Chicken and Saag Meat, prepared using authentic ingredients and slow-cooked methods inspired by Daryaganj’s culinary legacy.

The experience concludes on a sweet note with Daryaganj’s bestselling Gulab Jamun, soft and rich, offering a nostalgic finish to the traditional winter meal.

At Daryaganj, winter dining goes beyond food. It is an experience rooted in tradition, warmth and heritage, where every dish tells a story of North India’s culinary past, thoughtfully prepared to create lasting memories for families and loved ones.

The Traditional North Indian Winter Feast is available across all Daryaganj outlets for guests to enjoy throughout the winter season.


Delhi Bans Coal and Firewood Tandoors to Curb Rising Air Pollution

Delhi Bans Coal and Firewood Tandoors to Curb Rising Air Pollution

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 16, 2025

In a strong move to tackle worsening air quality, the Delhi government has imposed a blanket ban on the use of coal and firewood tandoors across the capital. The decision comes as part of enhanced pollution control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan, aimed at reducing emissions during high-pollution phases.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has also prohibited all forms of open burning, including garbage burning, at hotels, restaurants, dhabas, and street-side food outlets. All food establishments have been instructed to immediately switch to electric or gas-based tandoors in order to minimise harmful emissions contributing to poor air quality.

The directive has been issued under the Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act and reinforced through GRAP provisions, making compliance mandatory for all categories of eateries operating in the city. Officials stated that the restriction on coal and firewood usage had already been identified as a critical measure to control emissions during severe pollution periods.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has further enforced a complete ban on open burning across the city and empowered district administrations and municipal authorities to take strict action against violators. Fines of up to Rs 5,000 can be imposed on those found violating the ban. In a public appeal, she urged citizens to avoid open burning and highlighted that collective responsibility can bring meaningful change to the city’s air quality.

To ensure effective implementation, municipal bodies and senior officials have been directed to conduct inspections across eateries and food establishments. Enforcement teams have been asked to ensure strict compliance with the approved fuel norms outlined by the Commission for Air Quality Management and related GRAP guidelines. Any violation of these rules will attract penalties.

As pollution levels continue to rise across India’s largest urban landscape, the move has drawn significant attention. The ban reflects the state government’s intensified efforts to address air pollution through regulatory action, enforcement, and public cooperation, highlighting the urgent need for cleaner practices within the hospitality and food service sector.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.