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.


All Things Breakfast Launches ‘Darcy & Company’, a Jane Austen–Inspired Artisanal Granola Brand from Pondicherry

All Things Breakfast Launches ‘Darcy & Company’, a Jane Austen–Inspired Artisanal Granola Brand from Pondicherry

By Hariharan U

Published on December 23, 2025

All Things Breakfast Pvt. Ltd. (ATB), a new-age food venture focused on reconnecting food with happiness, has announced the launch of its first flagship brand, Darcy & Company. Based in Pondicherry, the micro-bakery introduces a thoughtfully crafted range of artisanal, small-batch breakfast essentials, beginning with protein- and fibre-enriched granolas.

Marking the brand’s debut is The Jane Austen Anthology, a limited-edition granola collection launched to celebrate the 250th birth anniversary of the legendary author. The collection draws inspiration from the timeless charm, romance, and refined simplicity of Jane Austen’s literary world, translating it into flavours designed for modern Indian mornings.

Darcy & Company is founded by Rashmi Naik, who brings over two decades of corporate experience into a purpose-driven food venture. Inspired by a personal journey towards better nutrition and meaningful work, Rashmi, along with a close group of friends, set out to address a familiar dilemma—choosing between food that is healthy but dull or indulgent but unhealthy.

Darcy & Company was born from the belief that food should bring joy, not guilt,” says Rashmi Naik. “Our aim is to create breakfast options that are clean, nourishing, and genuinely enjoyable. Using activated seeds, local grains, and single-origin Indian ingredients allows us to strike that balance.”

The Jane Austen Anthology features four distinctive granola blends, each inspired by settings and themes from Austen’s novels. From the buttery comfort of Pride and Prejudice to the refined elegance of Emma, the blends marry global flavour inspirations with locally sourced Indian ingredients. Oats are sourced from Kerala, nuts and seeds from Auroville, and single-origin chocolate from Pondicherry and Wayanad, reinforcing the brand’s strong local sourcing philosophy.

At its core, Darcy & Company is built on principles of quality, trust, and sustainability. Each batch is mixed and slow-baked only after an order is placed, ensuring freshness. Nuts and seeds are activated through traditional soaking methods to enhance nutrition and digestibility, while ethical sourcing and responsible production remain central to the brand’s ethos.

More than a food brand, Darcy & Company positions itself as a mindful lifestyle choice—one that celebrates slow mornings, thoughtful eating, and simple pleasures. With its literary inspiration and ingredient-led approach, the brand aims to make breakfast the most anticipated meal of the day.

Darcy & Company’s granola range, including the Jane Austen Anthology, is now available for nationwide orders.


Christmas Must-Try Menus and Festive Events to Explore in Mumbai This December 2025

Christmas Must-Try Menus and Festive Events to Explore in Mumbai This December 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 23, 2025

Mumbai’s festive season dining gets a vibrant lift this Christmas 2025, with restaurants and breweries across the city curating special menus, themed décor, and celebratory events that bring together food, drinks, and music. From elegant brunches to high-energy brewery nights, here are some must-try Christmas menus and events to experience this December.

Amelia, located in Bandra Kurla Complex, sets the festive tone with a beautifully decked Christmas setting and curated celebrations spread across 24th and 25th December 2025. The restaurant hosts a special Christmas Eve celebration on 24th December, followed by a relaxed and celebratory Christmas brunch on 25th December. Known for its warm ambience, Amelia pairs elegant Christmas décor with signature dishes and seasonal cocktails, creating an inviting space for gatherings with friends, family, or colleagues. The experience focuses on a brunch-led celebration that blends comfort, festive flavours, and a joyful holiday spirit.

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In Andheri, Sthamba Brewery brings festive cheer with its Barrels & Bells Christmas theme, rolling out a special lineup of festive beers throughout December 2025. The seasonal selection includes Holy Mistletoe Lager, Snowman Cookie Stout, Rudolf’s Red Nose Cider, Smoked Rauchbier, Whiskey Ale, and Strawberry Cider. Alongside the drinks, the brewery has planned a lively festive calendar with a new band performing live on 20th December, a drum circle on 24th December, and live music on 27th December 2025. Adding to the excitement, Sthamba hosts high-energy Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebrations, with the brewery staying open until 5 AM on both nights, making it a go-to destination for late-night festive revelry.

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Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse in BKC adds a global twist to the season with the launch of its Tokyo-inspired Christmas cocktail menu, available throughout December 2025. The festive menu features winter-forward flavours with Japanese influences, including cocktails such as Jingle & Ginger Toddy, A Matcha Christmas, and Sansho Claus. Complementing the drinks are indulgent festive desserts like Frosty Bytes, Merry Mochi, and Oh My Deer!. Enhancing the overall experience, Harajuku also introduces The Drunch Club, which kicks off during the festive period and will continue every Sunday in the months ahead, offering guests a new way to unwind with food, drinks, and music.

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With thoughtfully crafted menus, festive décor, and engaging events, these destinations reflect Mumbai’s dynamic Christmas dining scene in 2025, offering something special for every kind of celebration, from laid-back brunches to spirited late-night gatherings.


Amrut Unveils “Mumbai Chi Maaya,” Its Landmark Mumbai City Edition

Amrut Unveils “Mumbai Chi Maaya,” Its Landmark Mumbai City Edition

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 22, 2025

Amrut Distilleries has unveiled “Mumbai Chi Maaya,” a radiant limited-edition single malt whisky inspired by the dreams, hopes and aspirations of India’s financial capital. Crafted as a tribute to a city that never truly sleeps, the expression captures Mumbai’s restless energy, where crashing waves meet neon nights and every individual carries a story shaped by ambition and endurance.

Mumbai was chosen as the muse for this special city edition for its rare ability to hold together resilience, aspiration and everyday joy in one compelling rhythm. The pack design reflects this spirit, featuring the Gateway of India as a powerful symbol of survival and renewal. More than a monument, its silhouette represents a city that has stood tall through challenging chapters, embodying a quiet yet enduring sense of maaya.

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Other iconic elements of Mumbai find thoughtful representation in the narrative of “Mumbai Chi Maaya.” The Bombay Stock Exchange reflects the city’s electric balance of risk and reward, where fortunes can change in moments but confidence remains unwavering. Wankhede Stadium evokes memories of collective triumph, recalling the historic 2011 Cricket World Cup victory that united a nation in a moment of shared euphoria. The dabbawalas are celebrated for their unmatched precision and discipline, moving thousands of tiffins daily through the city’s chaos with flawless efficiency.

The whisky also pays homage to the quieter rituals that define everyday life in Mumbai. From conversations over vada pav to friendships renewed on station platforms, and moments of calm found while watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea, these simple experiences form the emotional fabric of the city. Mumbai’s local trains, the lifeline of the metropolis, carry over 7.5 million commuters daily across 450 kilometres, transforming movement into a shared rhythm that binds the city together.

At the heart of “Mumbai Chi Maaya” is the liquid itself. Bottled at 48 percent ABV, a rarity for Indian consumers, the single malt mirrors Mumbai’s intensity through bold depth, structure and extended palate length, while remaining refined and approachable. Each dram is designed to reflect the city’s many moods, guiding drinkers through neighbourhoods, ambitions and moments of reinvention, from fast-paced professional lives to relaxed family evenings along the promenade.

Commenting on the launch, Rakshit N Jagdale, Managing Director, Amrut Distilleries, said, “The ‘Mumbai Chi Maaya’ Edition is a tribute to Mumbai’s extraordinary spirit, its aspiration, endurance, and everyday grace. From iconic landmarks and shared memories to quiet, personal moments, every detail in the pack and every sip honors our bond with a city where dreaming big is a way of life and reflects Amrut’s commitment to celebrating India’s roots and its remarkable cities through every handcrafted expression.”

With “Mumbai Chi Maaya,” Amrut continues its journey of celebrating India’s cultural essence through thoughtfully crafted expressions, offering whisky enthusiasts a sensorial experience that captures the magic and soul of one of the country’s most iconic cities.

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