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.


Mehr-o-Mah Launches at Singh Sahib, Bringing Intimate Royal Dining to Gurugram

Mehr-o-Mah Launches at Singh Sahib, Bringing Intimate Royal Dining to Gurugram

By Hariharan U

Published on February 5, 2026

Singh Sahib has introduced Mehr-o-Mah, a new intimate dining destination in Gurugram that reimagines slow, immersive dining through the lens of royal Indian elegance. Conceptualised as a sanctuary away from the city’s pace, Mehr-o-Mah invites diners into a space where calm, craftsmanship, and culinary storytelling take centre stage.

Inspired by centuries-old mirror-work traditions, Mehr-o-Mah is designed as a candle-lit retreat adorned with lakhs of hand-set mirror fragments. These delicate reflections create a warm, hushed glow, setting the tone for an unhurried and deeply personal dining experience. The space is crafted to encourage stillness, allowing guests to linger and engage with each moment at ease.

At the heart of Mehr-o-Mah is a five-course, chef-curated tasting menu, thoughtfully pre-set to unfold like a ceremonial journey. The menu showcases layered flavours and regional inspirations, with dishes such as Sahjan ka Shorba, Chettinad Kozhi Rasam, Nawabi Gucchi, Murgh Shahi Neelam Tikka, Mehr-o-Mah Mutton Curry, and the delicate Daulat ki Chaat. Each course is served at a measured pace, accompanied by refined alcohol-free beverages designed to complement the flavours with balance and restraint.

Blending heritage with contemporary finesse, Mehr-o-Mah is envisioned for discerning diners seeking intimacy, elegance, and depth beyond conventional fine dining. With its focus on ritual, storytelling, and sensory detail, Mehr-o-Mah sets a new benchmark for experiential dining in Gurugram, where every evening feels quietly celebratory and thoughtfully composed.


Medusa Beverages Launches Draught Beer to Strengthen On-Trade Presence

Medusa Beverages Launches Draught Beer to Strengthen On-Trade Presence

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 5, 2026

Medusa Beverages, one of India’s fastest-growing homegrown beer brands, has announced the launch of its draught beer offering in Delhi. The move marks a strategic step towards strengthening the brand’s on-trade and HORECA presence by delivering fresher pours, improved consistency, and a more immersive pub and bar experience.

The launch comes at a time when urban consumers are increasingly gravitating towards experience-driven social drinking formats, positioning draught beer as a key growth lever for Medusa’s B2B and experiential expansion. Delhi remains the brand’s strongest and most mature market. In FY25, the city contributed approximately 5.4 lakh cases and accounted for over 10% market share, reinforcing Medusa’s foothold in one of India’s most competitive beer markets.

Building on this momentum, the draught beer rollout is designed to deepen consumer engagement across high-traffic on-trade environments. The offering uses Lindr ‘Naked’ taps imported from the Czech Republic, a country globally recognised for its beer culture and dispensing expertise. These taps are designed to deliver a smooth and consistent pour while maintaining the ideal serving temperature.

Commenting on the launch, Avneet Singh, Founder and CEO, Medusa Beverages, said, “Draught beer allows us to elevate how consumers experience Medusa in social settings. It gives us greater control over quality at the point of consumption while helping us build stronger engagement within pubs and bars. The introduction of draught beer is purely to enhance the consumer experience, whether through fresh pours, better consistency, or stronger engagement at the point of consumption. By integrating Lindr taps, we ensure every pour is fresh, smooth, and served at the perfect temperature.”

The draught beer will be rolled out across select hotels, restaurants, cafés, pubs, and bars in the capital, with plans to expand to around 50 outlets in the coming months. The move further reinforces Medusa’s experience-led approach to brand building within the on-trade ecosystem.

As Delhi’s nightlife continues to evolve, the city presents an ideal launch market for draught beer. Medusa, known for disrupting the Indian beer market with its mid-strength positioning, is extending Medusa AIR into the draught segment. With 4.5% alcohol content, Medusa AIR is crafted for smooth, easy drinking without compromising on taste, making it well suited for longer, social sessions. The draught format invites consumers to experience what the brand calls the “Smoothest Air.”


Glazed at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Celebrates February with Choco & Strawberry Bliss

Glazed at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Celebrates February with Choco & Strawberry Bliss

By Author

Published on February 5, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal is adding a touch of indulgence to February with Choco & Strawberry Bliss, a special dessert experience at its signature patisserie, Glazed, running throughout the month. Centred around the timeless combination of chocolate and strawberries, the themed showcase is designed to turn everyday sweet moments into memorable celebrations, making it ideal for Valentine’s Day and beyond.

Curated by pastry chef Ashwani and his team, the offering features an array of artisanal desserts complemented by live counters and visually striking presentations that appeal to both the palate and the senses. Guests can indulge in creations such as strawberry chocolate mousse, choco-strawberry tarts, chocolate-dipped strawberries with cream, strawberry-berry chocolate fondue and the classic fraisier, each crafted to evoke warmth, romance and comfort.

Whether enjoyed as a romantic Valentine’s treat, part of a relaxed weekend brunch or an elegant evening stop, Choco & Strawberry Bliss promises a month-long celebration where every bite tells a love story. The experience is available à la carte at Glazed from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm throughout February, with reservations available on +91 96064 82968.

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