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.


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Unveils Thoughtfully Curated Christmas Hampers for the Festive Season

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Unveils Thoughtfully Curated Christmas Hampers for the Festive Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 25, 2025

This Christmas, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore brings the joy of the season to life with a thoughtfully curated range of festive hampers and classic holiday treats. Designed with warmth, care, and a sense of togetherness, these Christmas offerings are perfect for sharing moments of cheer with family, friends, and colleagues.

Each festive hamper blends timeless Christmas favourites with indulgent sweet treats, capturing the essence of celebration and gratitude that defines the holiday season. From traditional festive bakes and rich plum delights to handcrafted chocolates and charming Christmas accents, every element has been carefully chosen to add comfort and joy to the festivities.

Guests can choose from two specially curated Christmas hampers. Christmas Hamper 1, offers a luxurious assortment that includes Panettone, Stollen, Dundee Cake, Plum Pudding, Plum Cake, Ginger Cookies, Mince Pie, Chocolate Santa, Almond Hazelnut Praline, Liquor Chocolates, a bottle of wine, and festive Christmas decorations. It is ideal for those looking to gift something truly indulgent.

Christmas Hamper 2, features a classic festive selection including Panettone, Stollen, Plum Pudding, Plum Cake, Ginger Cookies, Mince Pie, Pistachio Nougat, Chocolate Santa, and Christmas decorations, a perfect blend of tradition and celebration.

In addition to the hampers, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is also offering a wide range of Christmas goodies available à la carte, allowing guests to curate their own festive selections. Highlights include Stollen, Dundee Cup Cakes, Panettone, Plum Pudding, Plum Cake, Mince Pie, Pistachio Nougat, Almond Hazelnut Praline, Red Velvet Cookies, Ginger Cookies, decorative Christmas chocolate bars, Stuffed Santa chocolates, and Madeleines.

Whether it’s for personal celebrations, festive hosting, or thoughtful corporate gifting, these Christmas delights are crafted to add a touch of magic and sweetness to the season. Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore hopes these festive offerings fill homes with warmth, joy, and the unmistakable spirit of Christmas.

To place orders for Christmas hampers, festive goodies, or for bulk and corporate gifting enquiries, guests can contact +91 6370716589.


Popeyes Opens Its First Airport Outlet at Mumbai T2

Popeyes Opens Its First Airport Outlet at Mumbai T2

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 25, 2025

Popeyes, the iconic Louisiana-born fried chicken brand, has officially launched its first airport outlet at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Terminal 2. The opening marks a strategic step in Popeyes’ expansion across India following its debut in Mumbai earlier this year in August.

The Mumbai T2 store has been launched in partnership with AMRL, reflecting Popeyes’ focus on premium, high-footfall locations and its intent to bring globally loved flavours to travellers. Visitors at Terminal 2 can now enjoy signature offerings such as the Chicken Sandwich, Signature Fried Chicken, Boneless Chicken, and the Hot & Messy range, specially curated for the Indian palate. Staying true to its Louisiana Cajun roots, all chicken is fresh, hand-battered, hand-breaded, and marinated for 12 hours, ensuring bold and distinctive flavours in every bite.

Speaking on the expansion, Sameer Khetarpal, CEO & MD of Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said, “Airports have become critical touchpoints for brand discovery and repeat engagement. Launching at Mumbai T2 allows us to reach a high-intent, high-frequency audience and take Popeyes beyond the high street. After a strong response in Mumbai since August, this opening is a deliberate move to scale the brand in premium travel-led locations.”

Highlighting the importance of F&B in the airport experience, a spokesperson from AMRL added, “The launch of Popeyes at CSMIA marks a significant milestone in AMRL’s F&B growth. Airports are evolving into lifestyle destinations, and partnering with a globally iconic brand like Popeyes aligns strongly with our vision of offering world-class choices to travellers. This collaboration reflects our focus on quality, consistency, and global relevance.”

The Popeyes Mumbai T2 outlet is now open for travellers, offering both dine-in and takeaway options for domestic and international passengers, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a taste of Louisiana at India’s busiest airport.


Kickstart Your New Year Wellness with L-Carnitine Green Tea

Kickstart Your New Year Wellness with L-Carnitine Green Tea

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 25, 2025

As the New Year begins, many of us look for practical ways to support weight management and overall wellness. Tetley introduces its Green Tea Slim Care range with added L-Carnitine, a beverage designed to help reduce body fat when combined with a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

The new range combines the natural antioxidants of premium green tea leaves with the fat-supporting benefits of L-Carnitine, making it an easy and refreshing addition to your daily routine. Available in two revitalising flavours: Lemon & Honey and Ginger Mint Lemon, this tea helps you stay consistent with your wellness goals, whether focusing on mindful eating, feeling lighter during the day, or complementing your workouts.

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L-Carnitine, when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, aids in reducing body fat and promoting a balanced lifestyle. The carefully curated flavours make it a delightful and sustainable choice for daily consumption.

The Tetley Green Tea Slim Care range is now available at Reliance stores and leading online platforms including Amazon, Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy, and Bigbasket.

Start 2026 with a simple, science-backed habit, a daily cup of green tea with added L-Carnitine to support your New Year wellness goals and feel refreshed every day.

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