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.


Mamagoto Opens New Pan-Asian Restaurant in Raipur

Mamagoto Opens New Pan-Asian Restaurant in Raipur

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 13, 2026

India's Pan-Asian restaurant brand Mamagoto has opened its newest outlet in Raipur, bringing its signature Asian flavours, vibrant setting and experience-led dining to Avinash One.

The new restaurant marks another step in Mamagoto's expansion across India's emerging lifestyle markets. The brand began its journey in 2010, when hospitality entrepreneurs Rahul Khanna and Kabir Suri opened its first restaurant at Delhi's iconic Khan Market.

Over the past fifteen years, Mamagoto has grown to 22 restaurants across 18 cities, serving millions of guests and receiving over 50 industry awards and accolades.

The Raipur outlet introduces Mamagoto 2.0, the brand's evolved dining experience. The concept features refreshed interiors, an elevated cocktail programme and a menu inspired by the culinary traditions of Japan, China, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Guests can enjoy some of Mamagoto's popular dishes, including Pan-Fried Bao, Kill Bill Sichuan Pepper Smoked Chicken Dimsums, Charcoal Prawn Dimsums, Mama's OG Rock Shrimp Tempura, Salmon Aburi Nigiri, Pad Kra Pao Kai, Chiang Mai Train Station Noodles, and Mamagoto Caramel Sponge Cake. The menu is complemented by handcrafted cocktails and beverages.

The restaurant's arrival also comes as Raipur's dining and lifestyle scene continues to grow, with Mamagoto bringing its contemporary take on Pan-Asian dining to the city.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Priyank Singhania, Franchise Partner, Mamagoto Raipur & Director, said:

"Raipur has witnessed tremendous growth over the past few years and is rapidly emerging as a vibrant lifestyle destination. We felt the city was ready for a nationally celebrated brand that offers not just great food, but an experience. Mamagoto has always stood for bold flavours, great energy, and memorable hospitality, and we are excited to introduce that experience to Raipur."

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Mr. Vineet Kochar, Chief Operating Officer, Azure Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., added:

"Raipur represents an exciting chapter in Mamagoto's growth story. As we continue expanding into high-potential markets across India, our focus remains on creating restaurants that combine exceptional food, thoughtful design, and memorable guest experiences. We are delighted to bring Mamagoto 2.0 to Raipur and look forward to becoming a part of the city's evolving culinary landscape."

The Raipur opening is part of Azure Hospitality's wider plan to take its brands into high-growth markets while continuing to develop its food, design, beverage and guest experiences.

With the new outlet, Mamagoto adds Raipur to its growing presence across India and brings its Pan-Asian dining experience to a new generation of diners in Central India.

  • Address: Mamagoto Raipur, 2nd Floor, Avinash One, F&B 2 & 3, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492001


Baardos Expands Delhi Nightlife with New Qutub Venue

Baardos Expands Delhi Nightlife with New Qutub Venue

By Hariharan U

Published on August 13, 2026

Baardos has expanded its presence in Delhi with the opening of Baardos Qutub, its second venue in the capital and its most ambitious concept to date. Located in Qutub, one of Delhi's prominent dining and nightlife destinations, the new venue brings together food, cocktails, music and immersive entertainment.

Following the success of Baardos La Citta, Baardos Qutub is designed as an all-evening destination where dining transitions into a late-night experience. The concept combines a diverse culinary offering with an extensive cocktail programme and curated music experiences.

The menu brings together Pan Asian, Italian, Modern Indian, European and Continental influences, with an emphasis on bold flavours, generous portions and dishes designed for sharing. The cocktail programme complements the food-led experience, encouraging guests to settle in and spend the evening at the venue.

Nightlife programming forms a key part of the Baardos Qutub experience. Mystics of Qutub presents Sufi evenings every Wednesday, while DOS Fridays focuses on electronic music and a curated artist line-up. Saturdays feature Again Again!, while BOOM ROOM offers techno-led nights for electronic music enthusiasts.

Speaking about the launch, Aman Garg, Founder, Baardos, said Baardos Qutub was created as more than another venue, with the aim of building a destination that reflects the evolving nightlife culture of Delhi.

Sagar Garg, Founder, Baardos, added that the venue has been designed around the idea of creating memorable evenings through music, conversations, food and shared experiences.

The opening marks the next phase of Baardos' expansion strategy. The brand plans to launch new venues in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Noida by the end of 2026, extending its presence beyond Delhi.

While each new location will follow the core Baardos philosophy, the brand plans to adapt its venues to the culture, character and energy of their respective cities.

With Baardos Qutub, the brand aims to strengthen its position in India's evolving restaurant and nightlife landscape by creating destinations that combine dining, entertainment and social experiences under one roof.


Outletcity Metzingen Expands Visitor Experience with New Culinary Concepts

Outletcity Metzingen Expands Visitor Experience with New Culinary Concepts

By Hariharan U

Published on August 13, 2026

Outletcity Metzingen, Europe's largest outlet, is expanding its visitor experience with new culinary concepts, lifestyle offerings and seasonal events designed to complement its premium shopping environment.

The latest additions aim to encourage visitors to spend more time at the destination by bringing together shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences.

A key addition will be 60 Seconds to Napoli, which is scheduled to open at Outletcity Metzingen in October. The fast-casual restaurant will combine traditional Neapolitan pizza-making with modern technology.

The concept uses a 485°C (905°F) oven to bake pizzas in just 60 seconds. The pizzas are prepared with dough rested for up to 72 hours and ingredients including San Marzano DOP tomatoes and Fior di Latte mozzarella.

Janina Wittmann, Destination Marketing & Partnership Manager, Outletcity Metzingen, said the destination is focused on continuously evolving its visitor experience by complementing shopping with dining and seasonal offerings. She also highlighted India as one of Outletcity Metzingen's important international source markets.

The culinary additions also include CINNAMOOD, an exclusive pop-up concept that has been available at Outletcity Metzingen since June. Founded in Cologne in 2022, the lifestyle brand offers 17 varieties of cinnamon rolls along with signature coffees, matcha specialities and fresh fruit smoothies.

The destination's seasonal calendar will continue with the Motel a Miio Sample Sale from August 20 to 22 at The Gallery on Kanalstraße 6. Visitors will be able to explore the Portuguese ceramics brand's colourful handcrafted collection with discounts of up to 80%.

In September, Outletcity Metzingen will also host exclusive Michael Kors and MCM Sample Sales, providing visitors with additional limited-time shopping opportunities.

The new dining and seasonal experiences are part of Outletcity Metzingen's broader strategy to develop the destination beyond shopping, creating a more complete experience for international and domestic visitors.

With Germany attracting travellers from across the world, the destination is also looking to strengthen its appeal among Indian visitors by combining premium shopping with food, lifestyle and seasonal experiences.

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