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.


Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Brings Picnic Charm to Sunday Brunch

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Brings Picnic Charm to Sunday Brunch

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 18, 2026

Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach is bringing the charm of leisurely outdoor picnics to its Sunday brunch at The Square. Inspired by the joy of relaxed gatherings, the experience combines familiar picnic favourites with interactive culinary stations in a family-friendly setting overlooking the Arabian Sea.

The specially curated spread features picnic baskets filled with sandwich rolls and fresh fruit skewers, alongside barbecue grills, sliders and flatbread stations. A refreshing lemonade station adds to the outdoor-inspired theme, while dessert offerings such as classic brownies, a chocolate fountain and DIY s’mores bring a playful touch to the afternoon.

Interactive live stations allow guests to explore freshly prepared dishes, adding variety to the brunch experience. Beyond the food, live singing and engaging activities for children create an inviting atmosphere for families and friends looking to spend their Sunday together.

Located at The Square, the brunch combines contemporary interiors, natural light and alfresco dining with views of the Arabian Sea. Pool access further complements the experience, offering guests an opportunity to unwind and enjoy a leisurely afternoon by the coast.

Designed around the nostalgia of traditional picnics, the Sunday brunch brings together food, entertainment and family activities in one setting.

Brunch Details:

  • Venue: The Square, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach

  • When: Every Sunday

  • Timings: 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM

  • Highlights: Interactive live stations, live singing, children's activities and pool access.


McDonald's India North and East Introduces ₹99 No Onion, No Garlic McAloo Tikki Meal for Navratri

McDonald's India North and East Introduces ₹99 No Onion, No Garlic McAloo Tikki Meal for Navratri

By Hariharan U

Published on October 18, 2026

McDonald's India – North and East has introduced a special No Onion, No Garlic McAloo Tikki Value Meal for ₹99 during Navratri 2026, offering customers a festive dining option that aligns with traditional food preferences.

Available for a limited period from October 11 to 19, 2026, the offering features the brand's popular McAloo Tikki Value Meal prepared without onion and garlic. The initiative brings together familiar menu favourites and an accessible price point for customers observing Navratri.

The festive offering reflects McDonald's approach to adapting its menu to regional traditions and seasonal food preferences. By introducing a special preparation of one of its established vegetarian products, the brand aims to provide customers with an additional option during the festival.

McDonald's India – North and East also highlights its food-handling practices, which include separate handling procedures for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, with segregation across kitchen stations and storage areas.

The company operates fully vegetarian restaurants in Amritsar, near the Golden Temple, and in Kurukshetra. These outlets serve entirely vegetarian menus in consideration of local traditions and community preferences.

Customers can access the No Onion, No Garlic McAloo Tikki Value Meal through multiple ordering channels, including dine-in, takeaway and drive-thru services. The offer is also available through the McDonald's app and food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato, subject to availability at participating outlets.

The offering is part of the brand's seasonal approach to menu planning, with festive options designed to accommodate different dining preferences while retaining familiar products and value-led pricing.

About McDonald's India – North and East

McDonald's restaurants across North and East India are operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. The company serves a range of menu options made with quality ingredients, with operations spanning standalone restaurants, drive-thru outlets and 24-hour restaurants.

According to the company, its network comprises 316 restaurants and 200 McCafé outlets across North and East India, serving millions of customers annually and providing direct employment to more than 6,500 people.


Chinese Wok Launches ₹99 Value Woks with 'Wokday Treat' Campaign

Chinese Wok Launches ₹99 Value Woks with 'Wokday Treat' Campaign

By Hariharan U

Published on October 18, 2026

Chinese Wok has introduced its new Value Woks platform, offering select Desi-Chinese favourites at ₹99 and positioning everyday meals as an opportunity for an affordable treat. The launch is supported by the 'Chinese Wok's Wokday Treat' campaign, conceptualised and executed in collaboration with Havas Creative India.

The new offering targets young professionals, officegoers and urban consumers looking for quick, filling and flavourful meals without spending more on everyday dining occasions. The platform centres on two familiar favourites: Veg Hakka Noodles and Veg Chowmein, with availability varying by region.

The campaign draws on the familiar weekday lunch break, presenting it as a small moment of enjoyment amid busy work schedules. The campaign film features freshly wok-fired noodles and Value Wok boxes being served, culminating in the 'Wokday Treat' mnemonic, which connects the everyday workday with an accessible meal experience.

Speaking about the launch, Arvind R P, CEO, Lenexis FoodWorks Pvt Ltd, said, "Desi Chinese is India's favourite comfort food: filling, full of flavour and deeply familiar. With the launch of new ₹99 value platform, we're putting our classics like Hakka Noodles and Chowmein within everyone's reach and inviting more of India to dine-in at Chinese Wok, not just at their homes. This new value platform, brought to life by Havas Creative India, is a key building block of how we're building Chinese Wok into a truly omni-channel brand as we expand across the country."

Anupama Ramaswamy, Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer, Havas Creative India, said the campaign was built around the insight that weekdays can feel repetitive and lunch often becomes a small break to look forward to. She added that the ₹99 Value Wok aims to make an everyday meal feel like a treat without requiring a special occasion.

The Value Woks are available at ₹99 at participating Chinese Wok restaurants through dine-in and takeaway, subject to availability. Veg Hakka Noodles are offered in select regions, while Veg Chowmein is available in others.

The campaign is also being promoted through outdoor communications across malls, food courts and key locations near high-street catchments, extending the offer's visibility among everyday diners.

Founded in 2015, Chinese Wok is the flagship brand of Lenexis FoodWorks and operates more than 270 outlets across over 50 cities in India. The company also operates The Momo Co. and Big Bowl, serving consumers across different quick-service dining formats.

With its new Value Woks platform, Chinese Wok is looking to strengthen its everyday dining proposition by combining familiar flavours, accessible pricing and a campaign designed around the weekday meal occasion.

Campaign Films

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