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.


IGP Launches First-Ever Global Cake Collection Featuring Flavours From Eight Countries

IGP Launches First-Ever Global Cake Collection Featuring Flavours From Eight Countries

By Hariharan U

Published on November 29, 2025

IGP, one of India’s leading D2C gifting platforms and a strong name in the cakes category, has launched a first-ever limited-edition Global Cake Collection, bringing iconic flavours from eight countries to the Indian market. With cakes becoming an essential part of modern celebrations, the brand aims to offer a fresh, imaginative way of enjoying desserts inspired by global cultures.

Launched on World Cake Day, the campaign revolves around the idea that every cake tells a story. To mark the occasion, IGP introduced Cakes of the World, a chef-crafted collection that showcases globally inspired flavours paired with IGP’s signature craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The limited-edition range features eight distinct creations:

  • France: Smooth Salted Caramel

  • Italy: Rich Mocha Espresso

  • Belgium: Indulgent Chocolate Truffle

  • Switzerland: Velvety Hazelnut Praline

  • Canada: Fluffy Blueberry Cream

  • India: Festive Rasmalai

  • United States: Classic Red Velvet

  • UAE: Decadent Chocolate Kunafa

Each cake highlights a beloved flavour story from its region, presenting a blend of cultural inspiration, culinary creativity, and global indulgence.

Speaking about the launch, Tarun Joshi, Founder and CEO, IGP, said, “IGP has always been at the forefront of redefining the cake experience in India, and there couldn’t be a more perfect day than World Cake Day to deepen that association. With this year’s campaign, we are introducing Cakes of the World—an invitation to enjoy international flavours and celebrate the joy and indulgence that the year-end season brings. It’s our way of sharing the world’s most loved cakes, crafted in a distinctly IGP way.”

The campaign is supported by a multi-platform rollout, including teasers, digital content, creator collaborations, and communication across the brand’s website, email, and WhatsApp channels. With a strong focus on storytelling and flavour exploration, IGP aims to make World Cake Day a moment of global celebration rather than just an annual observance.

IGP continues to lead innovation in the cakes category, from developing chef-driven signature flavours to building a robust nationwide delivery network. The brand has delivered over 1,500 tons of cakes across India, enough to fill more than 650 food trucks, marking millions of celebrations across the country.

About IGP:

IGP is one of the largest D2C gifting companies with offices in India, Singapore, and Dubai. The International Gifts Platform offers a wide range of festival merchandise, gifts, flowers, cakes, plants, gourmet foods, and personalised products. With customers across 100+ countries and 1000+ Indian cities, the brand has created over 20 million gifting experiences so far.


Foo Strengthens Its Presence in Bengaluru With a New Restaurant at Orion Mall

Foo Strengthens Its Presence in Bengaluru With a New Restaurant at Orion Mall

By Hariharan U

Published on November 28, 2025

Foo, the Asian tapas dining brand from Pebble Street Hospitality, has opened its second restaurant in Bengaluru, marking another step in its South India growth plans. The new outlet at Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Rajajinagar, comes after the strong response to the brand’s first restaurant on Brigade Road.

The location in North-West Bengaluru, a neighbourhood known for its busy mall culture, mixed communities, and preference for quality dining, gives Foo the opportunity to connect with a larger audience while staying consistent with the experience it is known for.

Spread across 3320 square feet with seating for 110 guests, the restaurant blends Foo’s contemporary Asian design with a few standout visual elements. Guests walk into a tall, double-height entrance overlooking a water body, setting a dramatic tone. Outside, a bar by the lakeside doubles as a popular photo spot, while a cherry blossom tree and high ceilings keep the space open and lively. The design includes bold red details, a sculptural rope-wall installation, lantern-style lighting, patterned flooring, and tall forms inspired by classic Asian roof tiles.

Inside, warm rattan lights and a transparent glazing screen create a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor seating.

Foo brings its full culinary range to the new outlet, offering over 100 signature dishes from sushi and dim sum to Nikkei influences, Peruvian ceviche, salads, small plates, big plates, and indulgent desserts. The focus remains on consistency, creativity and flavour-forward dining.

Founders Ryan Tham & Keenan Tham shared their excitement, saying, “Bengaluru has embraced Foo with incredible warmth, and the city’s energy, global palate and enthusiasm for experiential dining made it the natural choice for our next chapter. With our second restaurant at Orion Mall, Rajajinagar, we’re introducing a more refined Foo, the way Bengaluru loves to dine: social, vibrant, exploratory and always evolving. This market is integral to our long-term vision, and we’re committed to building neighbourhood destinations across the city that stay true to Foo’s signature quality, creativity and accessible dining philosophy.”

Commenting on the launch, Sunil Munshi, COO – retail, Brigade Group, added, “At Orion Mall, our singular focus has always been to craft a dynamic and enriching experience for our patrons, one that goes far beyond shopping. We believe a truly world-class mall must seamlessly integrate best-in-class retail, diverse culinary of offerings and immersive entertainment under one roof. Every brand we welcome is carefully selected to reflect the evolving tastes and aspirations of our visitors. The arrival of Foo Asian Tapas adds a bold and flavour-filled dimension to our F&B portfolio, and we are confident that this will be yet another reason for our patrons to explore, indulge and revisit.”


Silq Brings a Silk Route–Inspired Dining Experience to Delhi

Silq Brings a Silk Route–Inspired Dining Experience to Delhi

By Hariharan U

Published on November 28, 2025

A new fine-dining destination has arrived in Delhi with the launch of Silq, a restaurant shaped by the memories and exchanges of the ancient Silk Route. Located in the diplomatic enclave of Malcha Marg, Chanakyapuri, Silq aims to offer more than a meal, it brings a sense of ritual, culture, and unhurried luxury to the city’s dining scene.

Silq draws its inspiration from the legendary pathways where merchants, poets, philosophers, and travellers once moved between civilizations. The restaurant seeks to recreate that sense of depth and connection by offering what it describes as the “luxury of ritual, reverence, and unhurried grace.”

At Silq, dining follows the idea of samskara, a ritual carried out with intention. Every guest moves through six thoughtfully designed ceremonies, each representing a shift from the ordinary into a more immersive experience.
The journey begins with Ruh-e-Itr, a welcome that combines a curated thaal with Silq’s oud fragrance. Ida brings music inspired by historic trade routes, while Tajalli marks the start of the meal as candlelight sets the tone. Ushpa introduces a sensory drink, Ahara presents a crafted amuse-bouche, and the evening completes with Lutf, a goodbye gesture featuring a scroll and traditional mukhwaas.

The menu celebrates four culinary traditions, Persian, Mughal, Levantine, and Mediterranean  treating each with respect and authenticity. Guests can expect flavours shaped by saffron, pomegranate, sumac, olive, herbs, and the poetic style of old royal kitchens.

Silq’s interiors echo the visual stories of ancient trade routes. Warm brass that reflects flickering candlelight, textured fabrics reminiscent of faraway bazaars, and shades inspired by spice markets and royal settings come together to create an atmosphere that blends heritage with contemporary elegance.

Speaking about the philosophy behind the space, founder Sagar Kumar shared, "We live in times where dining has become merely transactional. At Silq, we're returning to what hospitality once meant, a sacred offering of presence, care, and cultural memory. Every guest who enters becomes the recipient of an amanat, something precious entrusted to our care. They leave carrying not just satisfaction, but a feeling of having been part of something intimate, meaningful, and transformative."

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.