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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.
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."
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.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 12, 2026
Guacamole Co., a Mexican-inspired QSR brand, has opened its first outlet in Punjabi Bagh, bringing a fresh approach to casual dining with flavour-packed comfort food and customizable meal options.
Positioned as an ingredient-led dining concept, the brand focuses on balanced flavours and freshly prepared dishes, offering an alternative to the heavier fast-food style menus commonly seen in the QSR space. With a vibrant yet relaxed setting, the outlet aims to create an easygoing experience for guests looking for fresh and comforting meals.
The menu features a range of Mexican-inspired favourites including tacos, burrito bowls, loaded nachos, wraps, enchiladas, salads, and several variations of house-made guacamole. Guests can customise their meals with fillings such as Crispy Mushroom, Chipotle Paneer, Chipotle Chicken, and Birria across different dishes.
The appetizer section includes options like Tex-Mex Corn Ribs, Grilled Chipotle Chicken Skewers, and Habanero Chicken Wings. Signature dishes such as Millet Nachos Picante and Birria Lamb Nachos bring creative twists to familiar comfort food favourites.
The restaurant’s freshly prepared guacamoles and dips are available in flavours including Mango Chile and Con Piña, paired with handcrafted beverages and fruit coolers. Guests can also end their meal with desserts like cinnamon sugar churros and the Choco Loco Taco.
Designed as a neighbourhood dining spot, the interiors feature warm lighting, avocado-green accents, and a contemporary aesthetic that suits casual lunches, evening outings, and quick bites alike.
Speaking about the launch, Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Founder of Guacamole Co., said: “Guacamole Co. started with a simple idea to make Mexican-inspired food feel fresher, more approachable, and genuinely exciting. We wanted to create a space where people could enjoy bold flavours without the food feeling heavy or overly processed. From our house-made dips and salsas to the bowls, tacos, and appetizers, every dish has been designed to feel comforting, vibrant, and easy to come back to. Punjabi Bagh felt like the perfect place to begin this journey, and we’re excited to build Guacamole Co. into a go-to destination for flavour-packed comfort food in the city.”
With its focus on fresh ingredients, customizable meals, and a relaxed atmosphere, Guacamole Co. aims to establish itself in Delhi’s growing casual dining segment by offering Mexican-inspired food that balances flavour, quality, and comfort.
Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar in Mumbai has announced the extension of its popular Korean Food Festival for another month after receiving an overwhelming response from guests across the city. Originally introduced as a limited-time experience, the festival has quickly become one of the season’s most talked-about culinary events, reflecting the growing popularity of Korean food and culture among diners.
Part of the restaurant’s larger “Across Asia” series, the festival celebrates Korea’s vibrant food scene through a menu filled with bold flavours, comforting dishes, and immersive dining experiences. Guests continue to enjoy favourites such as Tteokbokki, Korean Fried Chicken, Bibimbap bowls, and Jajangmyeon, all inspired by Korean street food and home-style cuisine.
One of the biggest highlights of the festival has been the introduction of the Big Bowl Ramen, promoted as one of Mumbai’s largest ramen offerings. Designed as a hearty and shareable dish, it has become a major attraction for groups and ramen lovers alike.
Another standout on the menu is the Cheese Baked Ramen, an indulgent oven-baked preparation that is limited to just 10 portions per day, adding a sense of exclusivity to the experience. Guests can also pair their meals with a selection of eight beers on tap, including a seasonal mango cider.
Speaking about the extension, Ewa Valia, Assistant Marketing Manager at Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar, said, “We're truly grateful for the overwhelming love the Korean Food Festival has received. While we're excited to introduce the next chapter of our Across Asia series, we also wanted to make sure that guests who continue returning for their favourite dishes have more time to enjoy the experience. Extending the festival felt like the most natural decision for us.”
With its energetic atmosphere, strong cultural appeal, and flavour-packed menu, the Korean Food Festival at Tipsy Tiger Garden Bar continues to give Mumbai diners another reason to explore Korean cuisine in a lively social setting.
By Hariharan U
The Hood by Olive is raising a glass this World Whisky Day with a specially curated whisky-forward experience that celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, and global cocktail culture. Known as one of Bengaluru’s refined global gastro-bars, the venue brings together classic whisky traditions and modern mixology interpretations under one immersive menu.
Designed for both whisky connoisseurs and curious explorers, the celebration highlights a range of signature cocktails that balance innovation with familiarity. The experience reflects The Hood’s signature approach, precise execution, layered flavours, and a sophisticated yet approachable bar atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Among the standout creations is Beware the Ginza Tiger, a Japanese-inspired cocktail that draws from the vibrant energy of Tokyo’s Nishiki Market. It blends miso-washed whisky with roasted coffee liqueur and sesame-kokuto sugar syrup, creating a bold umami-driven profile with depth and complexity.
The menu also features Roman Holiday, a smoother, dessert-style whisky cocktail that balances citrus brightness with honey water, offering a refreshing yet indulgent drinking experience.
For those who prefer a contemporary classic, Penicillin delivers a layered interpretation of Scotch whisky, combining blended whisky with an Islay float, complemented by honey-ginger syrup and fresh lemon juice for a smoky, citrus-forward finish.
Together, these cocktails reflect a growing trend in Bengaluru’s premium bar scene, where whisky is no longer confined to neat pours, but reimagined through global techniques, flavour experimentation, and storytelling-led mixology.
With its curated approach and globally inspired menu, The Hood by Olive positions World Whisky Day as more than a celebration—it becomes an exploration of flavour, technique, and modern whisky culture.
From seasoned whisky lovers to first-time tasters, the experience offers a refined way to engage with the spirit, set against the bar’s contemporary and cosmopolitan ambience.
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