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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 Hariharan U
Published on September 4, 2025
For travellers looking to pair world-class dining with iconic views, Tokyo Skytree Town offers the best of both worlds. Beyond its 360-degree panorama of the city, this landmark destination is home to restaurants and cafés that showcase the richness of Japanese flavours in unforgettable settings. Whether it’s a celebration, a family outing, or a quiet moment to savour tea, dining at Tokyo Skytree is truly a feast for all senses.
A Culinary Feast with a View
Sky Restaurant 634 (Tokyo Skytree, Floor 345), Located 345 meters above the city, this fine-dining restaurant offers a signature “Tokyo Cuisine” experience that blends seasonal Japanese ingredients with breathtaking vistas. The newly introduced Grand Room—a private dining space for up to eight guests—makes it an ideal choice for special occasions.
Sky Lounge TOP of TREE (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), With clear-day views of Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Tower, this elegant lounge serves curated lunch and dinner course menus, perfect for a refined dining escape.
Kunimi (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), Specialising in premium dishes like live Hokkaido crab and sukiyaki with a touch of theatre, Kunimi offers sweeping views stretching from Skytree to Mt. Fuji.
Kumamoto Akaushi Shabu Shabu Koubai (Tokyo Solamachi, 31F), Featuring melt-in-the-mouth Akaushi beef from Kumamoto’s Aso region, this shabu-shabu experience combines rich flavours with a dramatic Skytree backdrop.
Matenro (Tokyo Solamachi, East Yard 31F), A lively teppanyaki restaurant where chefs grill ingredients right before your eyes, enhanced by glittering night views for a memorable evening.
Cafés with a Japanese Touch
Tokyo Solamachi®, part of the Skytree complex, also celebrates Japan’s café culture—offering cosy spots for quick breaks and indulgent treats:
THE MATCHA TOKYO (East Yard, 1F), A paradise for matcha lovers, serving 100% organic matcha beverages, sweets, and souvenirs.
Gion Tsujiri (East Yard, 6F): Known for the exclusive Tsujiri Tree Soft Serve, served with a Skytree-shaped spoon, this café offers a playful and photogenic treat.
Tanomi (East Yard, 1F), Famous for hearty soups with vegetable-packed flower-shaped rice balls, alongside desserts and drinks. The Tanomi Plate—a set with three small side dishes, is especially popular.
From gourmet dining to casual café stops, Tokyo Skytr
ee Town® is more than just a sightseeing attraction—it’s a complete experience where food, culture, and views come together in one iconic destination.
Ironhill Brewery, India’s largest microbrewery chain, has unveiled Zero Gravity AF, its first-ever non-alcoholic wheat beer. With this launch, Ironhill takes another bold step in its mission to craft inclusive brews that bring communities together.
Zero Gravity AF is designed to give beer lovers the same rich experience they expect, minus the alcohol. Brewed with precision by Ironhill’s master brewers, the golden wheat beer offers a smooth body with soft, bready undertones. Bright citrus and tropical fruit notes from Citra hops blend seamlessly with the clean bitterness of Magnum hops, resulting in a refreshing and aromatic drink that stays true to the essence of beer.
“Innovation at Ironhill has always been about listening to our community, experimenting with flavors, and creating brews that suit every mood and moment,” said Head Brewer at Ironhill. “Zero Gravity AF is crafted for those who love the beer experience but prefer to go alcohol-free, without compromising on taste.”
What makes Zero Gravity AF unique is its brewing process. While most commercial brewers make beer up to 5% and then dilute it with water to reduce the alcohol level, Ironhill has taken the natural route. Using a special yeast and carefully controlling fermentation, the beer is naturally stopped at 0.5%. The result is a full-bodied brew with the right aroma, texture, and flavour profile — unlike the diluted taste often found in other non-alcoholic beers.
The beer’s name, Zero Gravity AF, was chosen through an Instagram poll, making it a product of both brewing expertise and community spirit.
Perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual hangout, pairing with global cuisine, or simply enjoying a refreshing drink on a weekday Zero Gravity AF delivers a crisp, zesty, and sessionable experience.
With this launch, Ironhill Brewery continues to lead India’s craft beer scene, combining innovation, authenticity, and community engagement to create brews that leave a lasting impression.
About Ironhill Brewery
Ironhill Brewery is India’s largest microbrewery chain, known for its expansive spaces, vibrant ambience, and an eclectic mix of global cuisine and innovative beers. With outlets across major Indian cities, Ironhill has built a reputation for pushing brewing boundaries while staying rooted in storytelling, community connection, and culinary excellence.
Published on September 3, 2025
Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of The Malabar, its new fine dining specialty restaurant at Sterling Wayanad, Sulthan Bathery. Designed as a destination dining concept, the restaurant highlights Kerala’s culinary heritage through heirloom dishes, cultural storytelling, and refined service rituals.
The launch was celebrated with a cultural showcase featuring floral arrangements, a puja ceremony, a Theyyam performance, a spice garden tour, and an evening of live Sufi music paired with a curated dinner reflecting the restaurant’s philosophy of food as theatre.
The Malabar’s compact, story-driven menu offers signature dishes like Chemeen Biryani, Erachi Puttu, Malabar Mango Cloud Fish, and Koonthal Nirachathu, along with forgotten classics such as Chakka Pathiri Nirachathu. Vegetarian highlights include Koon Curry, Raw Jackfruit Cutlets, Mathanga Erissery, and Cheera Parippu Curry, each plate designed with authenticity and cultural resonance.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Dileep Nair, Head of Operations at Sterling, said, “The Malabar was built on the voice of our guests. Insights showed a clear demand for authentic Kerala heirloom cuisine in a ₹700+ crore fine-dining market with no regional leader. The Malabar answers with authentic recipes, theatrical service, and a fine-dining format that creates recall and loyalty”.
This marks Sterling’s second major concept-driven restaurant, following Amo Odisha in Puri (2024). The Malabar strengthens Sterling’s vision of transforming dining into a strategic asset across destinations by blending heirloom dishes, local rituals, and sensory immersion.
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