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.


Rola Opens in Bandra as a New All-Day Diner for Every Occasion

Rola Opens in Bandra as a New All-Day Diner for Every Occasion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2026

 Bandra has a new neighbourhood dining destination with the opening of Rola, an all-day diner at Pali Hill that brings together breakfast, lunch, dinner, Neapolitan pizzas, home-style curries and specialty coffee under one roof.

Designed for different times of the day and different kinds of gatherings, Rola offers a menu that moves from morning coffee and breakfast to leisurely lunches and dinners. A coffee cart placed outside the diner adds to the lively neighbourhood feel, welcoming guests even before they enter the space.

The name Rola draws inspiration from the joyful sounds around a busy dining table, laughter, coffee cups, shared plates and conversations that continue long after the meal. The diner can accommodate 70 guests across indoor and outdoor seating, making it suitable for everything from catching up with friends and family gatherings to first dates and casual work meals.

“For me, hospitality has always been about people. Good food is important, but it's the conversations, the warmth and the feeling of wanting to stay a little longer that people remember. That's the experience we wanted to create with Rola,” says Puneet Anand, Founder, Rola.

The Food

Rola's breakfast and brunch menu sets the tone for the day with a mix of familiar flavours and creative combinations. The Breakfast & Brunch Club includes dishes such as Bombay Keema & Brun, featuring slow-cooked spiced mutton keema, a fried egg and buttered pav.

Another highlight, Benedict Goes Bandra, combines toasted brioche, grilled chicken salami, silky hollandaise and tandoori pineapple salsa.

The House Kitchen takes inspiration from home cooking, with recipes influenced by mothers, grandmothers and khansamas from across India. Khansama's Nihari brings together slow-cooked nalli nihari, marrow and fragrant spices, while Maa's Sunday Mutton Masala offers a comforting home-style curry served with buttered pav.

The Neapolitan pizza selection adds another dimension to the menu. The Kejriwal Pizza comes topped with a sunny-side-up egg, green chillies and cheese, while the Truffle Malai Chicken Tikka Pizza combines the flavours of an Indian favourite with a Neapolitan-style base.

Desserts include the nostalgic Chai & Parle-G Cheesecake and Basque Cheesecake served with raspberry compote.

The Coffee Program

Coffee is an important part of the Rola experience, beginning with the outdoor coffee cart and continuing with a dedicated menu inside.

Guests can choose from classics such as the Flat White and Hot Spanish Latte, along with house creations including the Mint Charcoal Mocha, Sea Salt Vanilla Mocha, Coffee Tonic and Affogato. Whether it is a morning coffee, an afternoon break or a casual catch-up, the coffee programme adds to Rola's identity as both a diner and a coffee destination.

At its core, Rola aims to become part of Bandra's everyday dining scene, bringing together thoughtful food, specialty coffee and a relaxed approach to hospitality. With its all-day format and varied menu, the new diner offers guests a space to gather, eat and spend time together.

Launch Details:

  • Launch Date: 17th August 2026
  • Where: Rola, Pali Hill, Bandra, Mumbai
  • Capacity: 70 guests across indoor and outdoor seating.

Azure Hospitality Begins Pre-Opening of Jhoom in Chandigarh

Azure Hospitality Begins Pre-Opening of Jhoom in Chandigarh

By Hariharan U

Published on August 18, 2026

Azure Hospitality has commenced the pre-opening phase of Jhoom in Chandigarh, marking the group's entry into the city with its first multi-cuisine restaurant concept.

Positioned as an immersive dining destination, Jhoom will bring together Indian, European and Asian influences alongside entertainment, nostalgia and contemporary hospitality. The concept is designed to offer diners a diverse culinary experience while creating a distinctive atmosphere built around food, music, culture and storytelling.

Leading the culinary pre-opening and launch preparations is Chef Kartik, Regional Brand Chef, Azure Hospitality. The project marks a significant milestone in his career, representing his 11th outlet opening with Azure Hospitality in two years.

Jhoom's menu is being developed across a broad range of categories, including Indian and European favourites, Asian small plates, artisanal pizzas, sushi, dim sum, wok preparations, international comfort food and contemporary desserts. The multi-cuisine format is intended to give guests flexibility while maintaining distinct culinary identities across different sections of the menu.

Beyond its food offering, Jhoom draws inspiration from nostalgia, travel, cultural exchange, music and the spirit of a bygone India. The concept aims to bring familiar memories into a contemporary setting through its interiors, ambience, entertainment and culinary experiences.

As Regional Brand Chef, Chef Kartik has been closely involved in the pre-opening process, overseeing menu development, culinary systems, kitchen readiness, operational planning, quality standards and team training. His role focuses on translating the restaurant's conceptual vision into a consistent and engaging guest experience.

Commenting on the project, Chef Kartik, Regional Brand Chef, Azure Hospitality, said the concept brings together flavours, techniques and memories from different parts of India and the world. He added that his focus during the pre-opening phase has been to ensure consistency and quality while retaining the character of the Jhoom concept.

The pre-opening marks Azure Hospitality's entry into Chandigarh's evolving dining landscape, with Jhoom positioned around culinary diversity, nostalgia and immersive hospitality. The restaurant is expected to offer diners a format where multiple cuisines, entertainment and experiences come together under one roof.


Horizon Brings a New Sunday Brunch to Bengaluru’s Skyline

Horizon Brings a New Sunday Brunch to Bengaluru’s Skyline

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 17, 2026

Bengaluru's skyline is getting a new Sunday dining experience as Horizon, the Pan-Asian rooftop destination at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, introduces its new Skyline Brunch. Starting 16 August 2026, the brunch will take place every Sunday on the hotel's 31st floor, bringing together Pan-Asian flavours, live cooking, music and views of the city.

The culinary team at Horizon has curated a menu featuring a selection of Pan-Asian favourites and chef-led preparations. Adding to the experience, live cooking stations will allow guests to watch dishes being prepared fresh, bringing an interactive element to the brunch. Guests will also receive a welcome pour of premium spirits, while live music sets the mood through the afternoon.

The rooftop setting remains one of the highlights of the experience. With its open-air location and panoramic views of Bengaluru, Horizon offers a relaxed backdrop for guests to enjoy a long Sunday lunch with good food, music and the city spread out below.

The new Skyline Brunch brings together food, drinks, live entertainment and the setting of one of Bengaluru's rooftop dining destinations, creating an easy-going Sunday experience for guests looking to unwind.

Event Details:

  • When: Every Sunday | Starting 16 August 2026
  • Where: Horizon – 31st Floor Rooftop, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway

The experience includes:

  • Welcome pour of premium spirits

  • Chef-curated Pan-Asian menu

  • Live cooking stations

  • Live music

  • Panoramic Bengaluru city views.

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