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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.
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."
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.
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By Hariharan U
Published on July 6, 2026
Bengaluru has a new addition to its dining scene with the launch of Nayvedyam, a pure-vegetarian restaurant dedicated to authentic South Indian cuisine. The restaurant was officially inaugurated by filmmaker and storyteller Sudhanshu Rai, marking its entry as a new destination for traditional, comfort-driven dining in the city.
Positioned as a space for those who value heritage recipes and simple, honest flavours, Nayvedyam brings together the diverse culinary traditions of South India under one roof. The menu focuses on timeless favourites such as crisp dosas, soft idlis, aromatic sambhar, freshly prepared chutneys and wholesome regional thalis.
The restaurant is inspired by the Sanskrit term Naivedyam, which refers to food offered with devotion. Staying true to this philosophy, Nayvedyam aims to serve meals that reflect purity, tradition and care, using fresh ingredients and age-old cooking methods.
Among its signature offerings are the Ghee Pudi Masala Dosa, Temple Ghee Thatte Idli, and a variety of curated thalis that showcase the richness and diversity of South Indian regional cuisine. Each dish is designed to deliver a nostalgic yet refined dining experience.
For Sudhanshu Rai, the inauguration was also a personal experience, as he appreciated the restaurant’s focus on authentic flavours and traditional preparation. He noted that the experience felt deeply rooted in culture, with food that carries a sense of storytelling through taste and presentation.
Speaking on the launch, Saurabh Mehra, Founder of Nayvedyam, said the vision is to make the restaurant a preferred destination in Bengaluru for authentic South Indian dining, built on tradition and genuine hospitality. He also expressed gratitude for having Sudhanshu Rai inaugurate the space, calling it a meaningful start to the brand’s journey.
While South Indian cuisine remains the highlight, Nayvedyam also offers a selection of North Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes, including curries, breads, Gobi Manchurian, Hakka noodles and fried rice. This makes it a versatile dining option for families and group gatherings.
Located on Gopalakrishna Adiga Road near Sarjapur Road, Chikkanayakanahalli, Nayvedyam operates daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., offering dine-in, takeaway, online ordering and catering services.
Conan has expanded its beverage portfolio with the launch of Conan Platinum, a new premium strong lager introduced in Delhi. Positioned in the high-strength beer category, the 8% ABV offering aims to deliver a more refined and balanced drinking experience for evolving consumer tastes.
Crafted to stand out in India’s growing premium beer segment, Conan Platinum combines intensity with smoothness, offering a flavour profile that is both bold and approachable. The lager features rich notes of toasted grain and subtle caramel, supported by a balanced hop bitterness that leads into a clean, crisp and long finish.
The beer’s texture is full-bodied yet smooth, designed to offer a creamy mouthfeel without any harsh alcohol aftertaste. Alongside its taste profile, Conan Platinum carries delicate fruity esters and light floral aromas, enhancing its layered drinking experience. Its amber-gold appearance and elegant lacing further reflect the attention to brewing detail.
The vision behind Conan Platinum comes from entrepreneur Arvind Bajaj, who has interests across exports, lifestyle, hospitality and real estate. Drawing from global brewing inspiration and shifting consumer preferences, he aimed to create a strong beer that prioritises both strength and sophistication.
Speaking on the launch, Arvind Bajaj, Founder of Conan Beer, said, “Today’s premium beer drinkers are not just looking for strength. They want flavour, balance and a smoother overall experience. With Conan Platinum, we focused on creating an 8% ABV strong beer that remains exceptionally smooth, flavourful and easy to enjoy.”
He added that every element from aroma to finish was carefully developed to ensure a more elevated strong beer experience that aligns with modern drinking preferences.
With this launch, Conan continues its focus on offering crafted beer experiences tailored to India’s changing consumption patterns. Conan Platinum is positioned as a versatile strong lager suitable for social occasions, celebrations and casual moments alike.
Conan Platinum is currently available in Delhi.
Poppy Udaipur is strengthening its reputation as one of the city's standout dining destinations with an Italian menu built around craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques.
Housed in a restored heritage bungalow, the restaurant has carved a niche for itself by combining artisanal Italian cuisine with authentic Rajasthani flavours. At the heart of its menu is a thoughtfully curated pizza programme that focuses on slow fermentation, precise techniques, and carefully sourced ingredients to deliver pizzas inspired by classic Italian traditions.
Among the restaurant's signature offerings are the Pomodori Pepe, featuring sun-dried tomato pesto, the Almond Florentine Pie, the Ecstasy with aubergine pesto, and The Italian Grandma, a six-cheese pizza finished with a subtle touch of spice. Each pizza has been crafted to offer its own distinct flavour profile while remaining true to authentic Italian styles.
Beyond pizzas, Poppy's Italian menu features a selection of oven-baked specialties, including the Smoked Scamorza Doughball, Smoked Chicken Pepperoni Panuozzo, and a range of stuffed garlic breads. Guests can also enjoy handcrafted pastas such as Radiatori, Mafaldine, Girelle, Gnocchi, and Ravioli, highlighting the restaurant's focus on comfort-driven Italian cuisine made from scratch.
Complementing its Italian offerings is a menu rooted in Rajasthan's culinary heritage, inspired by recipes from the Bedla family legacy. Signature dishes include Smoky Laal Maas, Banjara Aaloo, Gobhi Lal Shorba, and Hari Mirch ka Paneer, bringing regional flavours that are rarely found on contemporary restaurant menus.
The combination of authentic Italian craftsmanship and heritage Rajasthani cuisine has become the defining identity of Poppy. Every section of the menu has been designed to encourage guests to explore new flavours while maintaining a balance between familiar favourites and regional specialties.
Sharing the restaurant's philosophy, the team at Poppy said, "Every dish is built with intention, whether it's pizza, pasta, or traditional Rajasthani food. Our focus is on flavour, balance, and making sure guests always want to explore more of the menu."
As Udaipur continues to emerge as a prominent culinary destination, Poppy is positioning itself as a restaurant that celebrates both global and local gastronomy. By bringing together handcrafted Italian dishes and authentic regional cuisine under one roof, it offers guests a dining experience that blends heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary hospitality.
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