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.


Rooftop Innings at Pangeo Brings Cricket Fever to Bengaluru’s Skyline

Rooftop Innings at Pangeo Brings Cricket Fever to Bengaluru’s Skyline

By Hariharan U

Published on April 11, 2026

Pangeo has introduced Rooftop Innings, a high-energy cricket screening experience that transforms match days into vibrant social gatherings in the heart of the city.

Set against a lively rooftop backdrop, the experience brings together the thrill of live cricket with an elevated nightlife setting, creating an atmosphere that keeps the energy going from the first ball to the final over. Designed for corporate outings, team evenings, and casual catch-ups, Rooftop Innings seamlessly blends sport with celebration.

The experience is complemented by a thoughtfully curated menu featuring indulgent sharing platters and bold, flavour-forward offerings. Guests can enjoy handcrafted dumpling baskets, sushi platters with balanced umami profiles, and expansive vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections including paneer tikka assortments and tandoori seafood platters.

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Adding to the excitement are crowd favourites such as peri peri tandoori drums, smoky ghost wings, and sriracha wings, each crafted to match the intensity of the game. Special platter combinations paired with beverages further enhance the group dining experience, making it ideal for extended match nights and lively conversations.

More than just a screening, Rooftop Innings at Pangeo positions itself as a destination where cricket feels larger than life, gatherings feel elevated, and every match becomes a shared celebration.

Fact Sheet:
Where: Pangeo
Date: Starting April 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM


Loya at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai Unveils ‘Mittha’ – A Summer Dessert Celebration

Loya at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai Unveils ‘Mittha’ – A Summer Dessert Celebration

By Hariharan U

Published on April 11, 2026

Loya at Taj Mahal Palace introduces ‘Mittha’, a thoughtfully curated dessert menu that brings together nostalgia, tradition, and seasonal indulgence.

Rooted in the culinary traditions of northern India, the menu celebrates sweets that go beyond taste, drawing from generational recipes and memories of shared moments. At Loya, desserts are not just an end to a meal but a continuation of storytelling through flavour.

The ‘Mittha’ selection blends comforting classics with contemporary interpretations. Highlights include Badana Pearls, where rabri and saffron foam meet pistachios and almonds, and Doodh Jalebi, featuring crisp jalebis paired with pista, chuara, and aromatic kesar milk.

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Adding a playful summer twist, the Kulfi Pop assortment reimagines traditional kulfi into bite-sized indulgences. Guests can explore flavours like rose petal, saffron-cardamom, royal paan leaf, and malai, offering a refreshing take perfect for the season. The Falooda, layered with almond kulfi and rose rabri, adds a cooling, indulgent note to the experience.

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Among the standout creations is Gud–Ke–Maan, inspired by a cherished family recipe of badam kheer, bringing a deeply personal touch to the menu. Meanwhile, Loya Khel introduces a contemporary finish with a light chikoo mousse paired with biscuit cake and coconut elements.

With ‘Mittha’, Loya creates a dessert experience that feels both familiar and new, inviting guests to rediscover Indian sweets through a refined, seasonal lens.


Café Swasthya Expands with Third Outlet at Delhi Metro, Bringing Wellness On-the-Go

Café Swasthya Expands with Third Outlet at Delhi Metro, Bringing Wellness On-the-Go

By Hariharan U

Published on April 11, 2026

Café Swasthya has announced the opening of its third outlet at MG Road Metro Station in New Delhi, marking a significant step in its mission to make wellness-focused food more accessible to people on the move.

Located within the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) network, the new outlet represents a notable milestone, given the limited and highly selective retail opportunities within metro stations. Positioned strategically near both malls and residential neighbourhoods, the café caters to commuters as well as the surrounding community.

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Designed as a compact yet inviting space, the 280 sq. ft. outlet accommodates around 10–12 guests. The interiors reflect the brand’s signature aesthetic minimal, calming, and rooted in Ayurvedic philosophy featuring curated artworks and visual elements associated with Butterfly Ayurveda.

The menu focuses on wholesome, accessible offerings aligned with Ayurvedic principles. Guests can choose from breakfast dishes and snacks such as khatta meetha poha, kala chana wraps, and freshly prepared aloo samosas made with a whole wheat crust and fried in mustard oil. Beverage options include desi masala chai, buttermilk, hot chocolate, and a range of herbal and iced teas.

A highlight of the menu is Jivanti Kwath, a traditional herbal drink made using ingredients like Ashwagandha, Giloy, and Pippali, known for their role in supporting immunity and overall wellbeing.

Speaking on the launch, Akshi Khandelwal shared, “Our vision has always been to transform how people perceive wellness food by making it more accessible and inviting. This space is designed for both quick, nourishing bites and moments of pause during a busy day.”

Beyond food, the café also promotes awareness of Ayurvedic concepts through interactive elements such as a QR-based body constitution quiz and informative menu content explaining Panchamahabhuta and Tridosha.

With this expansion, Café Swasthya continues to strengthen its position in the growing wellness dining segment, offering a convenient, thoughtful alternative for everyday commuters seeking healthier choices

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