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.


Nazaara Bengaluru Showcases North-West Flavours with Best of Best

Nazaara Bengaluru Showcases North-West Flavours with Best of Best

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 19, 2026

Nazaara at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal is bringing a special dining experience to the city with ‘Best of Best’, a curated showcase of North-West Frontier cuisine. Led by Chef Asif Qureshi and his team, the concept revisits some of the restaurant’s most loved culinary experiences from 2025, bringing them together in a single menu.

Known for its open-air setting, Nazaara offers a relaxed yet refined dining atmosphere with wide views of the city skyline. The space combines soft lighting and a contemporary design, making it suitable for both intimate evenings and larger gatherings.

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The menu focuses on traditional recipes from North-West India, presented with a modern touch. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes including charred kebabs, slow-cooked curries, freshly baked breads from the tandoor, and flavourful biryanis. The selection draws from Mughlai and regional influences, offering a mix of rich and well-balanced flavours.

Some of the highlights include Hare Moong Gosht, Murgh Noormahli Korma, Nawabi Murgh, and the popular Gullatthi kebab. For dessert, Seviyan ka Muzaffar adds a sweet finish to the meal. Each dish is prepared using quality ingredients and traditional spices, bringing together familiarity and a fresh presentation.

The overall experience is further enhanced by the setting, where the open sky, gentle breeze, and thoughtfully designed ambience create a comfortable and engaging space. Whether it’s a casual dinner, a celebration, or a business meeting, the experience is designed to offer both comfort and a touch of luxury.

‘Best of Best’ will be available at Nazaara, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, from 20th April to 30th April, between 5:00 PM and 11:30 PM.


Eros Hotel New Delhi Hosts The Great Dim Sum Feast

Eros Hotel New Delhi Hosts The Great Dim Sum Feast

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 18, 2026

Eros Hotel, New Delhi is bringing a fresh dining experience to the city this summer with The Great Dim Sum Feast at Empress of China. Scheduled from 18th to 30th April 2026, the festival focuses on authentic Chinese flavours paired with a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

The specially curated menu features a wide variety of handcrafted dim sums, including steamed, fried, and baked options. Guests can expect a mix of classic favourites along with modern variations, all prepared using quality ingredients and traditional techniques by the hotel’s culinary team.

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One of the main highlights of the festival is the ‘Dim Sum with Beer Lunch’, where guests can enjoy delicate dim sums paired with chilled beers. This combination adds a refreshing touch to the meal and is designed to offer a laid-back yet refined dining experience. It works well for corporate lunches, casual outings, and even weekend plans with friends and family.

The festival aims to bring together flavour, presentation, and comfort in a way that appeals to both regular diners and those looking to try something new. With its focus on authentic taste and thoughtful pairing, The Great Dim Sum Feast offers a simple yet enjoyable way to explore Chinese cuisine.

Guests can visit Empress of China at Eros Hotel, New Delhi, Nehru Place, between 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm during the festival period from 18th to 30th April 2026.


Chin Lung Bengaluru Launches Raw Mango Infused Wheat Beer for Summer

Chin Lung Bengaluru Launches Raw Mango Infused Wheat Beer for Summer

By Hariharan U

Published on April 17, 2026

Chin Lung Brewery is tapping into the spirit of summer with the launch of a Raw Mango Infused Wheat Beer, a limited seasonal brew that brings together nostalgia, local ingredients, and craft innovation.

Inspired by the familiar flavours of kaccha aam, the beer is brewed using freshly plucked raw mangoes sourced directly from the brewery’s own tree. The result is a refreshing reinterpretation of traditional aam panna, transformed into a light, crisp, and highly drinkable wheat ale suited for the city’s warm weather.

The brew opens with bright, zesty aromas of raw mango, complemented by subtle citrus notes and a hint of earthy spice. On the palate, it delivers a vibrant burst of green mango upfront, followed by a refreshing saline tang through the mid-palate. A touch of black salt enhances the tartness, while a gentle layer of chilli warmth adds depth without overpowering the profile.

With an ABV of approximately 4.8%, the beer is designed to be easy-drinking and sessionable. Its hazy pale straw to light golden appearance, combined with a smooth, lightly spiced finish, makes it an ideal companion for long afternoons and relaxed evenings.

This seasonal release reflects a growing trend within India’s craft beer space, where local ingredients and regional flavour memories are being reimagined through contemporary brewing techniques. By drawing from the nostalgia of summer staples, Chin Lung continues to create experiences that resonate with both familiarity and innovation.

With this launch, the brewery offers a refreshing way to celebrate mango season—one that captures the essence of summer in every sip.

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