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.


Burger Singh Raises INR 82 Crore in Series B and It's Building Something Bigger Than a Burger Chain

Burger Singh Raises INR 82 Crore in Series B and It's Building Something Bigger Than a Burger Chain

By Author

Published on March 24, 2026

Burger Singh just closed its Series B round and the numbers tell a strong story. The Gurugram-based burger chain has raised INR 82 crore at a valuation of INR 520 crore, with the round led by Artal Asia Pte Ltd and participation from Negen Undiscovered Value Fund, Aurum Rising India Fund, and a mix of new and existing investors.

But what makes this funding round interesting isn't just the size of it. It's what Burger Singh plans to do with it.

The brand is not simply opening more outlets. It's building what Founder and CEO Kabir Jeet Singh describes as India's franchise-first restaurant growth platform, a structured, scalable system that allows local entrepreneurs to open and run successful franchise-owned outlets with the right support behind them. That's a meaningfully different ambition from just expanding a burger chain.

India's quick-service restaurant industry has grown significantly over the past two decades, but most of that growth has come through company-owned stores or master franchise arrangements. What hasn't developed at the same pace is a well-organised platform that genuinely enables individual entrepreneurs to succeed in the restaurant business at scale. Burger Singh sees that as the gap worth solving.

With 200 plus stores already operational across 100 plus cities including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, the franchise backbone is already in place. The fresh capital will now go towards deepening that infrastructure across store design, training systems, operating manuals, supply chain integration, technology, and on-ground market support.

The brand's FY 2024-25 revenue of INR 117 crore reflects consistent growth across both metro markets and emerging cities. Products like Nikku Singh, Udta Punjab 2.0, Churmur Pandey, and Bunty Pappeh Da Aloo have built genuine recall in a crowded category, helped along by accessible pricing and a menu that has been built specifically for the Indian palate rather than adapted from somewhere else.

Kabir Jeet Singh was clear about the larger mission behind the raise. "India has no shortage of entrepreneurs. What it lacks is enough high-quality operating platforms that allow those entrepreneurs to succeed in the restaurant business at scale. That is the gap we are solving. We are not just opening outlets; we are building the platform Indian entrepreneurs can plug into to create successful restaurant businesses."

Founded in 2014, Burger Singh was built with a specific premise: not to imitate foreign burger chains but to reinvent the burger for Indian tastes at an affordable price. More than a decade later, that premise is now the foundation of a platform play with real scale ambitions.


The Filter Coffee Expands in Bengaluru with Three New Outlets

The Filter Coffee Expands in Bengaluru with Three New Outlets

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

The Filter Coffee has expanded its presence across Bengaluru with the launch of three new neighbourhood outlets in Sadashivanagar, Jayanagar, and Church Street. With these additions, the brand now operates ten outlets across the city, bringing its signature filter coffee and familiar South Indian meals closer to more communities.

The Sadashivanagar outlet, opened on February 9th, 2026, is spread across 2,300 sq. ft. and features a 66-seater casual dine-in space with full service. It also offers the traditional banana leaf dining experience, reflecting the brand’s roots in everyday South Indian food culture. Located in one of the city’s well-known residential areas, this outlet marks a key step in the brand’s growth.

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The Church Street outlet, opened on February 23, 2026, is located at 1 Sobha Mall and spans 1,100 sq. ft. This is the brand’s first food court format outlet, designed to serve a high-footfall area in central Bengaluru while maintaining the same consistency in taste and quality.

The upcoming Jayanagar outlet, spread across 2,100 sq. ft., will follow a casual dining format with full service and a traditional banana leaf experience. Located in a neighbourhood known for its strong vegetarian dining culture, the outlet aims to connect with customers who appreciate classic South Indian cuisine.

“With every new outlet we open, our commitment to food quality and consistency remains unchanged. Consistency is the foundation of trust, and it’s what enables us to expand without diluting the experience our customers expect,” said Sankrit Iyer, Co-founder of The Filter Coffee.

Known for its focus on authenticity and simplicity, the brand has built a strong connection with customers looking for comforting South Indian meals served with warmth. Each outlet is designed to offer a relaxed and welcoming space, staying true to the idea that food is best enjoyed in a comfortable setting.

“We’ve seen strong demand from customers asking for The Filter Coffee closer to where they live. Expanding into these well-known neighbourhoods allows us to serve a wider audience while staying true to the everyday dining experience we’re known for,” said Avinit Bagri, Co-founder of The Filter Coffee.

With these new openings, The Filter Coffee continues to grow steadily across dine-in, takeaway, and delivery formats. The brand remains focused on offering familiar meals rooted in tradition while adapting to modern dining preferences, making each outlet a regular go-to spot for coffee breaks and everyday meals.


Bangalore’s Top Spots for IPL Live Screenings This Season

Bangalore’s Top Spots for IPL Live Screenings This Season

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

As the IPL season brings excitement across the country, Bangalore is all set to offer some of the most engaging live screening experiences for cricket fans. From lively neighbourhood bars to vibrant breweries, the city has plenty of spots where every match turns into a shared celebration.

Located in JP Nagar, Sector 144 invites fans to enjoy IPL matches in a relaxed and social setting. With multiple high-definition screens placed across the space, guests can catch every moment of the game while enjoying good company. The venue offers a well-curated à la carte menu with a mix of bar bites, flavourful dishes, and refreshing cocktails, making it ideal for long match evenings. The easy and familiar vibe makes it a go-to neighbourhood hangout where guests can return throughout the season.

Tropika Brewing Co. in Marathahalli brings a more immersive match-day experience with its tropical-themed ambience and lively setting. With large screens and a vibrant crowd, the venue creates the perfect environment to enjoy every over and last-minute finish. Adding to the experience is a specially curated IPL menu featuring dishes like Spinny Spring Roll Veg, Power Play Plum Chilly Baby Corn, Super Over Fried Chicken, Googly Ghee Roast Lamb, All Out Appolo Fish, and Hatrick Habanero Prawns. Desserts like Dot Ball Doughnuts and Catchy Carrot Halwa with Ice Cream complete the experience, along with a range of craft brews that keep the energy going.

For those looking for a familiar and easy-going space, Chin Lung offers multiple outlets across Bangalore, making it a convenient option for fans across the city. Known for its laid-back brewery vibe, comfort food, and fresh beers, it transforms into a lively match-day destination during IPL. With big screens, a buzzing crowd, and a steady flow of food and drinks, it creates an atmosphere where every run and wicket is celebrated.

Across these venues, the focus remains the same, bringing people together to enjoy cricket in a social and engaging way. Whether it’s cheering with friends, sharing food, or simply soaking in the match-day energy, Bangalore’s IPL screening spots offer something for every kind of fan this season.

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