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.


Al Habtoor City Unveils Refined Ramadan Dining Experiences for 2026

Al Habtoor City Unveils Refined Ramadan Dining Experiences for 2026

By Hariharan U

Published on February 7, 2026

As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, Al Habtoor City is set to offer a season of mindful gatherings and indulgent dining through a series of curated Iftar and Suhoor experiences across its landmark hotels. Located between Sheikh Zayed Road and the Dubai Water Canal, the destination brings together serene settings, thoughtful hospitality and diverse culinary offerings that reflect the spirit of togetherness and reflection central to Ramadan.

At Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, the Ramadan Garden at the Winter Garden returns as an elegant open-air venue designed to host up to 800 guests. Enhanced with Islamic-inspired décor, soft lighting and comfortable seating, the space creates a welcoming ambience for breaking the fast. The Iftar buffet features a wide spread of Arabic and international favourites, including hot and cold mezze, lamb ouzi, live cooking stations and traditional Ramadan beverages such as Jallab, Tamer Hindi and Kamer El Dine. Desserts like baklava, knafeh and Um Ali complete the experience. As the evening transitions into Suhoor, guests can enjoy lighter fare, interactive food stations, gentle oud music and classic board games, creating a relaxed late-night setting. Guests staying across the Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection can also enjoy a special Stay & Dine offer with savings at the Ramadan Garden.

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For those seeking a vibrant family-friendly setting, The Market at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City presents an expansive Iftar buffet from mid-February to mid-March. Featuring live kitchens and a rotating menu, the spread includes Middle Eastern Ramadan staples such as Madfoon, Harees, Machboos and Luqaimat alongside international selections, making it suitable for both small and large gatherings. Special group pricing further enhances its appeal for corporate and social bookings.

Complementing the dining experiences, Silk Spa at Al Habtoor City offers restorative spa rituals designed to rejuvenate the body and mind during the fasting period. Together, these experiences position Al Habtoor City as a refined destination for meaningful Ramadan moments in 2026.


ZYLO by Kakapo Unveils a New Global-Inspired Menu in Mehrauli

ZYLO by Kakapo Unveils a New Global-Inspired Menu in Mehrauli

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 7, 2026

ZYLO by Kakapo, the rooftop dining destination located atop Ambawatta One in Mehrauli, has unveiled its newly curated menu, further strengthening its position as one of Delhi’s most immersive dining experiences. With sweeping views of the city and the Qutub Minar forming a striking backdrop, ZYLO continues to redefine rooftop dining through a blend of mystical design, elevated cuisine, and a lively yet refined atmosphere.

The refreshed menu represents a natural evolution of ZYLO’s culinary approach, bringing together global inspirations, modern cooking techniques, and chef-led creativity. Curated to appeal to both adventurous diners and seasoned food lovers, the menu offers a vibrant mix of flavours and textures drawn from international cuisines.

Signature highlights include Vietnamese Tacos with a playful twist, the bold and indulgent Spicy Crunchy Sushi, succulent New Zealand Lamb Chops, and the comforting yet flavour-forward Kra Pao. These dishes sit alongside a wider selection of thoughtfully crafted plates that showcase global flavours with a contemporary edge.

Desserts continue the same attention to detail, with standout offerings such as Kakapo’s Nest designed to provide a rich and memorable end to the meal, balancing indulgence with visual appeal.

Beyond the menu, ZYLO’s experience is defined by its ability to shift seamlessly from day to night. As the sun sets and the city lights begin to glow, the mood transitions from relaxed and reflective to energetic and vibrant. Curated music, dynamic lighting, and the open-air rooftop setting come together to create an atmosphere that complements both dining and social experiences.

With the launch of its new menu, ZYLO by Kakapo invites guests to rediscover its evolving culinary story, where food, music, energy, and panoramic views come together under the stars, offering a complete sensorial experience above the city.


Chinese Wok Redefines Valentine’s Week for Gen Z with ‘Crush Hour’

Chinese Wok Redefines Valentine’s Week for Gen Z with ‘Crush Hour’

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 7, 2026

Chinese Wok, India’s leading Desi Chinese QSR brand from Lenexis Foodworks, is reshaping Valentine’s Week with the launch of ‘Crush Hour’, a youth-first campaign that moves away from romance-led celebrations and taps into craving-led moments. Designed around Gen Z’s evolving relationship with food, love, and social culture, the campaign positions Valentine’s as a shared experience not just for couples, but also for crushes, best friends, situationships, solo diners, and late-night food cravings.

At the core of ‘Crush Hour’ is a relatable insight: cravings behave much like crushes, sudden, emotional, personal, and worth sharing. With this idea, Chinese Wok turns food into a modern love language, transforming its outlets into casual hangout spaces where young consumers can come with their crush or simply satisfy their cravings. The campaign consciously avoids candlelight clichés, choosing instead to reflect a more fluid, expressive, and food-driven youth culture.

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Commenting on the brand’s broader vision, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder and Director, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “At Chinese Wok, we have always believed that QSR brands need to reflect how young India actually lives, eats, and socialises today. Occasions like Valentine’s are evolving, and so are consumer expectations from brands. ‘Crush Hour’ is an extension of our larger philosophy of building a culture-forward brand that stays relevant by celebrating real moments, everyday indulgence, and shared experiences, not just traditional calendar marketing.”

As part of the Valentine’s Week rollout, Chinese Wok has introduced limited-edition Valentine-themed packaging across its stores and delivery platforms. The in-store experience is supported through DMB screens, standees, tent cards, and tray liners. Adding an entertainment layer, the brand has also launched Crush Hour at Wok, the latest album on its owned music platform Wok FM. The album is available across in-store channels as well as YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other leading streaming platforms, reinforcing the brand’s focus on building long-term cultural IPs rather than one-off campaigns.

Explaining the creative thinking behind the campaign, Vikas Iyer, Marketing Head, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “Crush Hour was built on the insight that Valentine’s today is less about grand romantic gestures and more about who you choose to hang out with and what you choose to eat. By tapping into crush culture instead of clichés, we wanted to create a campaign that feels playful, inclusive, and instinctively relatable to Gen Z. Food becomes the anchor, but the communication is driven by emotion, humour, and high recall.”

The campaign is being amplified through a high-energy digital rollout across social platforms, featuring reels, static content, and influencer collaborations with micro, nano, and select macro creators. The communication maintains a youthful, flirty, and slightly mischievous tone, deliberately steering clear of overt romance in favour of craving-led storytelling.

From an offer standpoint, Chinese Wok is presenting indulgence as a treat rather than a discount, with a Buy One Get One (BOGO) offer on starters available from 8th to 15th February across its 260+ stores. With ‘Crush Hour’, Chinese Wok continues to strengthen its position as a youth-first, culture-driven QSR brand, turning seasonal moments into relevant, high-engagement experiences that reflect how young India eats today.

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